Dangerous Minds
Dangerous Minds is a 1995 American drama film directed by John N. Smith, and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. It is based on the autobiography My Posse Dont Do Homework by retired U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson, who took up a teaching position at Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, in 1989, where most of her students were AfricanAmerican and Latino teenagers from East Palo Alto, a povertystricken, racially segregated, economically deprived city at the opposite end of the school district. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer as Johnson, the film was released to a mixed to mostly negative critical reception, but became a surprise box office success in the summer of 1995, leading to the creation of a shortlived television series.
Desperate to reach the students LouAnne devises classroom exercises that teach similar principles to the prescribed work, but using themes and language that appeal to the streetwise students. She also tries to motivate them by giving them all an A grade from the beginning of the year, and arguing that the only thing required of them is that they maintain it. In order to introduce them to poetry, LouAnne uses the lyrics of Bob Dylans Mr. Tambourine Man to teach symbolism and metaphor once this is achieved, she progresses on to Dylan Thomass Do not go gentle into that good night. LouAnne rewards the students liberally, using candy bars, reward incentives, and a trip to a theme park. Her methods attract the anger of the school authorities, George Grandey Courtney B. Vance and Carla Nichols Robin Bartlett, who try to force her to remain within the curriculum.Particular individual students attract LouAnnes attention for their personal problems. Callie Roberts Bruklin Harris is an unusually bright girl who excels at English, but is removed from the school halfway through the semester when she becomes pregnant. LouAnne visits her outside of school hours to try to persuade her to continue with further education. Ral Sanchero Renoly Santiago is a wellmeaning boy who is frequently involved in gang warfare and street crime. LouAnne tries to encourage him to focus by paying a special visit to his family to congratulate him on his work, and going to dinner with him as a way of instilling confidence and selfrespect. Emilio Ramrez Wade Domnguez is her most troublesome personal project, as he believes strongly in a sense of personal honor that prevents him from asking for help. When LouAnne discovers that his life is in danger because of a personal grudge held by a recently released thug, she tries to protect him. However, due to her boss Grandeys indifference, her efforts fail and he is killed by his enemy. ........
Source: Wikipedia
