DANGEROUS MINDS

US, 1995, 99 minutes, Colour.
Michelle Pfeiffer, George Dzundza, Courtney B. Vance, John Neville.
Directed by John N. Smith.

I would have preferred the original title and of the book, `My Posse Don't Do Homework'. This is the 90s equivalent of To Sir With Love. Michelle Pfeiffer leaves the marines and wants to teach and, of course, she gets the bright but hardest students from the ghetto. Since the outcome is assured, it is watching how it happens - and the effect on the teacher as well as what she uses to get the students' atttention and keep it. (This time it is the lyrics of Bob Dylan and the poetry of Dylan Thomas.) Nothing out of the box, but, as usual, some noble sentiments and some warm feelings. Morale booster for teachers.

1.The title? The original book title, My Posse Don’t Do Homework?

2.The education theme, in the United States, different students, talented students but misfits? Dedicated teachers? Struggles? The struggle worthwhile?

3.The school and its resources, its look, the classrooms, offices? The homes in the neighbourhood, the contrast with the restaurant? The fun park? The musical score and songs?

4.The film based on fact? The tradition of American films about schools – the To Sir With Love, Up the Down Staircase tradition?

5.LouAnne Johnson, Michelle Pfeiffer and her screen presence, appearance, the background of her life, the abusive husband, the abortion, the divorce? Her time in the Marines? Her karate skills? Her desire to teach? Her friendship with Hal Griffith, the past, his wife, friendships? The interview and his arrangement? Carla and her giving LouAnne? immediate employment? No warning about the students? The reception, her decision to leave the room, rethinking her plans?

6.Hal as a friend, the friendships of the past, talking with him, the job, his help and encouragement? In himself, saying that he was mad and dedicated?

7.LouAnne reading about discipline, changing her clothes, going to the classroom, drawing the students’ attention? The background of being a Marine, the karate demonstration? The reactions? The different students, Emilio as the leader? Callie as supportive? The issue about death, choices? The secretary and the principal using these examples against her? The strong emphasis on choice? (And the later irony of Emilio’s death?)

8.The principal’s assistant, her keenness, the rules? The principal, urbane, African American? The issue of knocking? Proper, the rules, the curriculum? His later not allowing Emilio in because he didn’t knock… and the consequences?

9.LouAnne teaching poetry? Hal reminding her of Bob Dylan’s lyrics? Her use of Mr Tamborine Man, the discussions, the issues, the codes? Her decision to give everyone an A and challenge them to maintain that? Their work, the outing to the fun park? The competition about Dylan Thomas’s poetry? Their going to the library, reading the poetry, the winners? Callie and the takeout? Raoul going to the dinner, borrowing the money for his coat, wanting to work, LouAnne? lending him the money? His saying it was the most generous thing anybody had ever done for him? The waiter, his attitude? Choices? Being abrupt with the waiter? The deal with LouAnne? about paying back the money and graduating?

10.Emilio and his reactions, talking with Lou Anne, the issue of help? His coming on-side, responding to a question, the others responding? Later, the difficulties, talking with her, going to the principal, his not knocking, his death?

11.Callie, bright, pregnant, her mother, booked into the alternate school, to train for motherhood? LouAnne? visiting the home, the discussions with the mother? Callie’s return to school, to persuade Lou Anne to stay?

12.Raoul, his parents, Lou Anne’s visit, praising their son? His experiencing the dinner, the lending of the money? His upset when LouAnne? wanted to leave?

13.Angela, the relationship with Emilio, her grief at his death?

14.The two boys demonstrating karate, their leaving school, Lou Anne’s visit, the grandmother’s fierce attack on her?

15.LouAnne’s grief at Emilio’s death, wanting to leave, talking about her favourites – and Raoul explaining that all the others had stayed? Her final decision? The students and their persuasion?

16.LouAnne’s Johnson’s achievement with this group, offering hope, inspiration – and models of method for getting the attention of such students and keeping it?