With Honors (1994)

Convinced his thesis will have him graduate with honors from Harvard University, a stuffy student finds himself at the mercy of a homeless man's demands when he holds the papers hostage.

Director:

Alek Keshishian

Writer:

William Mastrosimone

Stars:

Joe Pesci, Brendan Fraser, Moira Kelly

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Pesci	...	Simon
Brendan Fraser	...	Monty
Moira Kelly	...	Courtney
Patrick Dempsey	...	Everett
Josh Hamilton	...	Jeff
Gore Vidal	...	Pitkannan
Deborah Lake Fortson	...	Homeless Woman
Marshall Hambro	...	Security Guard
Melinda Chilton	...	Helga
Harve Kolzow	...	Harvard Cop
James Deuter	...	Judge
Caroline Gibson	...	Donation Student
M. Lynda Robinson	...	Newspaper Purchaser #1
Richard Auguste	...	Newspaper Purchaser #2
Patricia B. Butcher	...	Librarian

Storyline

Monty is a student, and when his computer crashes, he's left with only a single paper copy of his thesis. Frightened of losing it, he immediately rushes out to photocopy it, only to stumble and drop it down a grate. Searching the basement of the building, he discovers that it has been found by Simon, a squatter. Simon makes a deal with Monty: for every day's accomodation and food that Monty gives him, he will give a page of the thesis in return.

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Plot Keywords:

harvard university | homeless man | college student | friendship | unlikely friendship | 

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Taglines:

If you want a degree go to Harvard. If you want an education go to Simon Wilder.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The graduation scenes were filmed at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The large building in front of the graduates is Foellinger Auditorium, made up to look like a Harvard building. Many of the graduates are UIUC students.

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Goofs

Monty and Simon stop on the bridge and sit to talk. When they get up to leave, the books that Simon offered to carry have disappeared.

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Quotes

[Courtney is shaving her legs with his razor]
Monty: I never wanted to be a razor so bad in all my life.

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Connections

Featured in The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards 1995 (1995)

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Soundtracks

Thank You
Written by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page
Performed by Duran Duran
Courtesy of EMI Records, Ltd. and Capitol Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Terrific, moving film.

"With Honors" and the French-Canadian film "Jesus of Montreal" are my two favorite films, period. "With Honors" means so much to me...it takes on an issue - homelessness - that most film studios won't touch with a ten-foot pole. Then, it manages to make a funny, warm, touching film that's also fairly mainstream in its appeal. It's amazing that someone could make a film largely about a homeless man into a commercially acceptable film without sugar-coating the issue, but they did it.

Stellar performances abound here, including Joe Pesci, Brendan Fraser, Josh Hamilton, and the spectacular Moira Kelly. With a great performance by the priceless Gore Vidal - who's also in another of my favorite films, "Bob Roberts."

There are also some nice shots of the Harvard University campus, and the film accurately re-creates the turmoil, joy, and passion and the hundred other emotions that come with college life.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Con honores

Filming Locations:

Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,328,543, 1 May 1994

Gross USA:

$20,016,254

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,016,254

Company Credits

Production Co:

Spring Creek Productions, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1