Higher Learning

Name: Higher Learning
Genre: Drama, Sport, Romance
Released: January 11, 1995
Duration: 127 min
Rating: 54
Cast: Kristy Swanson, Michael Rapaport, Omar Epps

1995

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Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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Higher Learning

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: January 11, 1995 | R

Starring: Kristy Swanson, Michael Rapaport, Omar Epps

Summary: First-term freshmen get a crash course in diversity, identity and sexuality in a bold look at contemporary college life. (Sony Pictures)

Director: John Singleton

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 127 min

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Critic Reviews

Brad Laidman

Higher Learning is John Singleton's interracial state of today's campuses version of School Daze minus the musical numbers. Surprisingly, it's just as much a gang movie if not more than Boyz 'n the Hood. Read full review

David Sterritt

The film treats realistic subjects in a stylized way, putting its main energy into exploring ideas rather than building emotional power. [13 Jan 1995, p.B] Read full review

Peter Travers

Higher Learning is seriously intended and seriously flawed. Singleton tends to shout his objectives. But in an era of cop-out escapism, it is gratifying to find a filmmaker who is spoiling to be heard. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Aiming at a microcosm of American life comparable in some ways to Do the Right Thing, Singleton can't quite justify or explicate his parting message ("unlearn"), but his passion is exemplary. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Higher Learning starts out as a liberal message movie, but it turns into a demagogic rabble-rouser, a shrewdly incendiary exploitation of these wayward days of rage. Read full review

Rick Groen

Like an over-ambitious freshman with a term paper, Singleton raises every issue and illuminates none. And, again, this film is better when the combative heat rises, particularly when the long-telegraphed confrontation between Malik and the neo-Nazi finally comes to a (skin)head. [13 Jan 1995, p.C3]

Mick LaSalle

Higher Learning says nothing new or challenging and is too naive to inspire controversy. Read full review

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User Reviews

Tss5078

Feb 24, 2013

Higher Learning is a very bold film, that shows the paths of 3 college freshman and how they develop socially during their first semester in college. They start out as a group of naive kids, who don't even understand themselves, and develop into different persona's that fit the group ofHigher Learning is a very bold film, that shows the paths of 3 college freshman and how they develop socially during their first semester in college. They start out as a group of naive kids, who don't even understand themselves, and develop into different persona's that fit the group of friends they choose to fall in with. It's really interesting to see how 3 people, who are all in the same boat, wind up on such different paths, simply as a result of who they choose to spend their time with. I can't really say much more, but eventually their paths will cross with some very interesting results!… Expand

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72	#72 Best Movie of 1995
63	#63 Most Shared Movie of 1995