Dangerous Minds (1995)

An ex-Marine turned teacher struggles to connect with her students in an inner city school.

Director:

John N. Smith

Writers:

LouAnne Johnson (book), Ronald Bass (screenplay)

Stars:

Michelle Pfeiffer, George Dzundza, Courtney B. Vance

6 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Louanne Johnson
George Dzundza	...	Hal Griffith
Courtney B. Vance	...	Mr. George Grandey
Robin Bartlett	...	Mrs. Carla Nichols
Beatrice Winde	...	Mary Benton
John Neville	...	Waiter
Lorraine Toussaint	...	Irene Roberts
Renoly Santiago	...	Raul Sanchero
Wade Dominguez	...	Emilio Ramirez
Bruklin Harris	...	Callie Roberts
Marcello Thedford	...	Cornelius Bates
Roberto Alvarez	...	Gusmaro Rivera
Richard Grant	...	Durrell Benton
Marisela Gonzales	...	Angela
Toni Nichelle Buzhardt	...	Nikki

Storyline

Louanne Johnson is an ex-marine, hired as a teacher in a high-school in a poor area of the city. She has recently separated from her husband. Her friend, also teacher in the school, got the temporary job for her. After a terrible reception from the students, she tries unconventional methods of teaching (using karate, Bob Dylan lyrics etc) to gain the trust of the students.

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Plot Keywords:

teacher student relationship | ex marine | pregnancy | high school principal | reference to dylan thomas | 

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Taglines:

She Broke The Rules... And Changed Their Lives.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 August 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Posse Don't Do Homework

Filming Locations:

Burlingame, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$23,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,931,503, 13 August 1995, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$84,919,401

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$179,519,401

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Via Rosa Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michelle Pfeiffer was pregnant during production. Although shot out of sequence like most films, it becomes apparent when methods are used to hide the actress' stomach. Methods such as long skirts and bulky sweaters along with scenes where Pfeiffer is shown carrying large objects were used.

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Goofs

When Raul gets dragged away by the police from his fight with Emilio you can see that his ponytail is ruined, but in the next shot when they got out of the school his ponytail was back.

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Quotes

Louanne: You asked me once how I was gonna save your life. This is it. This moment.

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Connections

Referenced in Family Guy: Baby Got Black (2014)

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Soundtracks

GANGSTA'S PARADISE
Written by Stevie Wonder, Coolio (as Artis Ivey), Doug Rasheed and 'L.V. (I)' (as Lawrence Sanders)
Performed by Coolio featuring L.V.
Courtesy of Tommy Boy Records

User Reviews

A simple and basic statement to its viewers.

As a critic, I have no basis for saying a movie is aesthetically sound or not. However, I believe there is a quality to this movie that deserves to be acknowledged. The fact that so many people are willing to trash the film based on the fact that an Inspirational Teacher Movie just is not real. Says a great deal for the need of a few teachers who fit that bill. Yes there are a few things that are old hat about the movie but you have to appreciate the fact that this movie has an honesty in its simple and basic statement to its viewers.

If you like the choices or not they have to be made. Maybe if a few more people, not just teachers, realized that we don't all live in Emerald City, of Wizard of Oz fame. Some of us actually survive each and everyday. Only to do it all over again in the morning.