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Waiting for Superman

Original title: Waiting for 'Superman'
  • 20102010
  • PGPG
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
This documentary follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, and undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying "drop-out factories" and "academic sinkholes," methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems.
Play trailer2:35
2 Videos
26 Photos
  • Documentary
An examination of the current state of education in America today.An examination of the current state of education in America today.An examination of the current state of education in America today.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Davis Guggenheim
  • Writers
    • Davis Guggenheim
    • Billy Kimball
  • Stars
    • Charles Adams
    • Jonathan Alter
    • Robert Balfanz
Top credits
  • Director
    • Davis Guggenheim
  • Writers
    • Davis Guggenheim
    • Billy Kimball
  • Stars
    • Charles Adams
    • Jonathan Alter
    • Robert Balfanz
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 106User reviews
    • 100Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 16 wins & 28 nominations

    Videos2

    Waiting for Superman
    Trailer 2:35
    Waiting for Superman
    Waiting For Superman
    Clip 1:19
    Waiting For Superman

    Photos26

    Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Davis Guggenheim and John Legend in Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Bill Gates in Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Lesley Chilcott in Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Geoffrey Canada in Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)
    Waiting for 'Superman' (2010)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Charles Adams
    • Selfas Self
    Jonathan Alter
    Jonathan Alter
    • Selfas Self
    Robert Balfanz
    • Selfas Self
    Harriet Ball
    • Selfas Self
    Steve Barr
    • Selfas Self
    Celeste Bell
    • Selfas Self
    • (as Ms. Celeste Bell)
    The Black & McGee Family
    • Themselvesas Themselves
    Geoffrey Canada
    Geoffrey Canada
    • Selfas Self
    James Carter III
    • Selfas Self
    Todd Dickson
    • Selfas Self
    The Esparza Family
    • Themselvesas Themselves
    Mike Feinberg
    • Selfas Self
    Adrian M. Fenty
    • Selfas Self
    • (as Adrian Fenty)
    Howard Fuller
    • Selfas Self
    The Garcia Regalado Family
    • Themselvesas Themselves
    Lester Garcia
    • Selfas Self
    The Guy Family
    • Themselvesas Themselves
    Eric Hanushek
    • Selfas Self
    • Director
      • Davis Guggenheim
    • Writers
      • Davis Guggenheim
      • Billy Kimball
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There is a scene in which Bianca, one of the little girls, is reading from a book about someone taking apples and bringing them into the city to sell. The book she is reading is called "The Giving Tree" written by Shel Silverstein.
    • Quotes

      Geoffrey Canada: One of the saddest days of my life was when my mother told me Superman did not exist.

    • Connections
      Edited from Adventures of Superman (1952)
    • Soundtracks
      Hitting The Trail
      Written by Larry Hochman

      Courtesy of APM Music

    User reviews106

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Our System is Broken
    Greetings again from the darkness. The system is broken. I am neither a teacher, Union official or politician ... simply a U.S. citizen who sees a real problem with a public education system that seems to adequately serve very few.

    After viewing Davis Guggenheim's documentary, I find it fascinating to read some of the comments made. To my eye, the film does not blame any one group for the problems - though lousy teachers and a misguided union do take some serious criticism. Shouldn't they? The film makes the point that excellent teachers and principals can definitely make a difference. The specific subject families show caring, involved parents and eager to learn children. Of course, not every family or child fits this definition. But shouldn't the system work for the engaged parents and students?

    There is no shortage of blame in this game - politicians, unions, teachers, administrators, parents and rowdy kids. Regardless of the situation, it's clear that the overall system is flawed, especially in lower income areas. Do neighborhoods drag the school down or is it vice versa? To me, it doesn't matter. The system should reward the teachers, parents and children who do want to teach and learn.

    Regardless of your politics or personal involvement in education, I commend Mr. Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth") and Mr. Gates and Ms. Rhee for rocking the boat ... for getting the questions asked in a public forum. This movie should inspire much debate and discussion - typically the beginning of real improvement and change. Let's hope this is the needed start to finding a better system.
    helpful•46
    21
    • ferguson-6
    • Oct 3, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 29, 2010 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Waiting for 'Superman'
    • Filming locations
      • 118th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Electric Kinney Films
      • Participant
      • Walden Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,417,135
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $139,033
      • Sep 26, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,433,688
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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