X
- 1995
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 39 m
- 1995
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 39 m
Summary Based on an incredible true-life story – Michelle Pfeiffer stars as former U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson, a first-time high school teacher assigned to a class of tough but smart inner city students. When conventional methods fail to reach them, the feisty Ms. Johnson tries the unconventional -- defying the rules and creating her own curric...
Directed By: John N. Smith
Written By: LouAnne Johnson, Ron Bass
- 1995
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 39 m
- 1995
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 39 m
Dangerous Minds
47
6.6
Summary Based on an incredible true-life story – Michelle Pfeiffer stars as former U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson, a first-time high school teacher assigned to a class of tough but smart inner city students. When conventional methods fail to reach them, the feisty Ms. Johnson tries the unconventional -- defying the rules and creating her own curric...
Directed By: John N. Smith
Written By: LouAnne Johnson, Ron Bass
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
47
17% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
61% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
22% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
47
17% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
61% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
22% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
Dangerous Minds doesn't drop the sentimental conventions of the good-teacher Hollywood drama but reconstitutes them with strong performances, sensitive direction by Canadian film maker John N. Smith ("The Boys of St. Vincent") and a firm belief that teachers can and will make a difference in a person's life.
But the cut-to-the-enlightenment dramaturgy of Ronald Bass's screenplay feels desperate and false.
User Score
Generally favorable
Based on 50 User Ratings
6.6
50% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
46% Mixed
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
4% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally favorable
Based on 50 User Ratings
6.6
50% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
46% Mixed
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
4% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
A good movie...waay better than what the critics are saying. The reason why it is not a 10 to me is that the ending was quite meh and some parts felt forced (forgivable thought).
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So cheesy, but still fairly good mind you.
I did find myself cringing a decent amount throughout 'Dangerous Minds' though, not necessarily in a negative way but just due to some rather sickly scenes. I found Michelle Pfeiffer's performance to be, for the most part, pleasant, though there are a few scenes where she overacts ever so slightly - in my opinion, of course.
Away from Pfeiffer, there isn't much to shout about. George Dzundza (Hal) has a few moments, as do the likes of Renoly Santiago, Bruklin Harris and Wade Dominguez. The lead is the only one who keeps things interesting, though.
The plot is fine, as is everything else really. They use "Gangsta's Paradise" (at least?) three times which is undoubtedly, absolutely three times too little - what a banger of a song that is from Coolio and L.V.
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While films are admired for making fantasy real, some manage a reverse, unwanted kind of alchemy, turning involving reality into meaningless piffle.
In the case of Dangerous Minds, we get an idealized version of inner city life, where, though problems may require more than the wave of a magic wand to remove, the solutions still seem too facile.
The film fleetingly touches on the underfunding of schools and other administrative problems as well as the more compelling personal issues of teen pregnancy and violence. But the characters are so poorly drawn and underdeveloped that they seem to be little more than personifications of these societal ills.
Michelle Pfeiffer has made a lot of memorable movies, including many that undeservedly failed to connect with the public. Never, until Dangerous Minds, has she had to flail her way through a movie beyond all redemption, including even the prehistoric "Grease 2". [11 Aug 1995, Pg.04.D]
Movie stars have tamed sassy kids in movies from "The Blackboard Jungle" to "Stand and Deliver," but it's hard to remember an example more patronizing or sentimentalized than this one.
This would have only been ordinary because it's simply adequately directed, has an entire cast of unknowns save for the star, and is from a cliché-riddled script, but this is honestly one of Michelle Pfeiffer's more interesting performances. While she's not entirely convincing as a career-Marine, she's certainly more so than Demi Moore, who tried the stunt not long afterwards, and she's certainly believable as a caring teacher. An intriguing film for Simpson and Bruckheimer to be associated with, this was back in the day, after her career-defining 'Catwoman' role in 'Batman Returns' that she was still getting great starring roles (I greatly look forward to checking her out opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in 'The Age of Innocence'). My favourite work of hers will always be in 'Scarface', but this is right up there IMHO--some really fine acting by her. It's simply a shame only one note was asked of her--had it been a more multi-dimensional character (ie., love or family interests--I've read a possible romance scene with Andy Garcia was left on the cutting room floor so they could focus on her interaction with the students), it would have been even more inviting to watch.
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Dangerous Minds stars Michelle Pfeiffer and George Dzundza. It's a 1995 thriller/drama movie by director John N. Smith and Michelle Pfeiffer has some role as a teacher however the pupils in her class are all idiots mainly, losers, annoying or black tough guys. This film brings a new kind of boredom but Pfeiffer's acting is great so I won't insult her on that subject. George Dzundza is his usual self but this film could of been so much better and the unlikeable and stupid characters could of been stupid but the level of stupidity decreased and not so annoying.
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Production Company
Hollywood Pictures,
Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films,
Via Rosa Productions
Release Date Aug 11, 1995
Duration 1 h 39 m
Rating R
Tagline Within a week, she got an entire classroom of "unteachable" punks to respect her...trust her...and even admire her. That was the easy part.
Awards
MTV Movie + TV Awards
• 4 Nominations
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
