Dangerous Minds
| Dangerous Minds | |
| Missing image Dangerous_Minds.jpg Dangerous Minds | |
| Directed by | John N. Smith |
| Written by | Ronald Bass, Novel by Louanne Johnson |
| Starring | Michelle Pfeiffer |
| Produced by | Don Simpson Jerry Bruckheimer |
| Distributed by | Hollywood Pictures |
| Release date | August 11 1995 |
| Runtime | 99 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | |
| IMDb page | |
Dangerous Minds is a 1995 film that tells the story of a retired Marine who leaves her career to become an English teacher at an inner-city high school. The film, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, focuses on the challenges of growing up in the inner-city and of the efforts of a dedicated teacher to allow her class to learn to believe in themselves.
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Synopsis
When retired Marine Louanne Johnson (Michelle Pfeiffer) arrives at an inner-city high school in Palo Alto, California, she finds a class of tough, street-wise kids, involved in gangs and drugs, whom Johnson quickly dubs the "rejects from hell." Her initially meek demeanour, small stature and white skin earn her the nickname "white bread" from her students. Determined to have them trust and respect her, she quickly changes her presentation, wearing leather jackets, teaching karate to her students and cursing in the classroom. Creating her own curriculum for her "socially challenged" but otherwise extremely bright class, she starts having them read college-level texts, uses Bob Dylan lyrics to teach poetry and rewarding them with trips to amusement parks.
Through both her and the class's dedication, she teaches them not only to respect education for its own worth, but more importantly to respect and believe in themselves.
The film was based on the true story by Louanne Johnson, My Posse Don't Do Homework, and follows themes found in similar movies, such as The Blackboard Jungle, To Sir, with Love and Stand and Deliver. The MPAA rated the film R for profanity.
Music
The rap-based music score was written by Wendy & Lisa, who also wrote one of the theme songs, "This Is The Life." The movie also featured the hit hip-hop song "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio.
Cast and crew
- Michelle Pfeiffer - Louanne Johnson
- George Dzundza - Hal Griffith
- Courtney B. Vance - George Grandey
- Robin Bartlett - Carla Nichols
- Beatrice Winde - Mary Benton
- John N. Smith - Director
- Ronald Bass - Screenplay
- Louanne Johnson - Author of My Posse Don't Do Homework
Television Series
In 1996, a television spin-off aired on ABC starring Annie Potts as Louanne Johnson. Although the Dangerous Minds TV series was critically acclaimed, it only lasted one season and 17 episodes were produced.