Michelle Pfeiffer,
George Dzundza,
Courtney B. Vance,
Robin Bartlett,
Bruklin Harris
... see more 
In this drama, a school teacher discovers that it takes more than the ABCs to get through to a class of "uneducatable" kids. When Lou Anne Johnson (Michelle Pfeiffer), a nine-year veteran of the Marin... read more
Directed by: John N. Smith
Release Date: August 11, 1995
DVD Release Date: July 13, 1999
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Stats: 2,617 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (2,617)
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February 21, 2011I like movies like these, although its not as good as films like freedom writers, it is an entertaining enough movie.
Its not the most inspirational drama that gives you the wow factor at the end of the movie but it is funny and keeps you interested.
I absolutely love the sound... read more -
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June 13, 2007The best of the cool teacher reaches out to the tough kids in a run down area films. You should like if you enjoyed Coach Carter which is very similar but is about the school basketball team.
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March 2, 2007A teacher in "the ghetto" wins the trust and respect of her class of "homies". Absolutely laughable exploitative drivel.
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Critic Reviews
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
February 13, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
The tale screenwriter Ronald Bass came up with, and the way director John N. Smith tells it, is stereotypical, predictable and simplified to the point of meaninglessness. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Kevin McManus, Washington Post
If only the filmmakers had used some subtlety in telling the story, they could have done right by the real LouAnne Johnson. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
What makes it work is the integrity of Pfeiffer's performance and Smith's direction, and the high spirits of the young, racially diverse supporting cast. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie pretends to show poor black kids being bribed into literacy by Dylan and candy bars, but actually it is the crossover white audience that is being bribed with mind-candy in the form of safe ... Full Review
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
A no-frills, single-minded drama driven by Pfeiffer's totally committed performance. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News
The movie has real emotional and reportorial credibility, a prime source of its power. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Tom Keogh, Film.com
Pfeiffer has a lot of good moments as Johnson.
January 1, 2000
Bradley Steinbacher, Film.com
Stay home and watch Welcome Back Kotter. It's more enlightening.
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Pfieffer is absurdly miscast: Sly Stallone would make a more plausible Mr. Chips than the frail, squeaky actress does a nine-year veteran of the Marine Corps. Full Review
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