Higher Learning

For other uses, see Higher Learning (disambiguation).

Higher Learning
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	John Singleton
Produced by	John Singleton Paul Hall
Written by	John Singleton
Starring	Omar Epps Kristy Swanson Ice Cube Jennifer Connelly Laurence Fishburne Cole Hauser Michael Rapaport
Music by	Stanley Clarke
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date(s)	January 9, 1995 (1995-01-09)
Running time	127 minutes
Box office	$38 million

Higher Learning is a 1995 American drama film, starring an ensemble cast. It also featured Tyra Banks' first performance in a theatrical film. Laurence Fishburne won an Image Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" for his performance; Ice Cube was also nominated for the award.

The film follows the changing lives of three incoming freshmen at the fictional Columbus University: Malik Williams (Omar Epps), a black track star who struggles with academics; Kristen Connor (Kristy Swanson), a shy and naive girl; and Remy (Michael Rapaport), a lonely and confused man seemingly out of place in his new environment.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) filled in for the college, Columbus University. The exterior shots and outdoor scenes were shot on the campus. Interiors were shot at Sony Pictures Studios.

Synopsis

Young people from different countries, races and social backgrounds are forced to integrate when they enroll in Columbus University, where West Indian Professor Maurice Phipps (Laurence Fishburne) teaches political science. The students have to deal with problems such as financial difficulties, harassment, personal safety, self doubt, sexuality and racism. Already under pressure to perform in the classroom, in athletics, or in social settings, the students are strained to the breaking point by prejudice, inexperience, misunderstanding and their need to fit in.

The three main characters are Kristen (Kristy Swanson), a white girl from Orange County who struggles with her sexuality; Malik Williams (Omar Epps), a black student who has to rely on a sports scholarship to pay his fees; and Remy (Michael Rapaport), a white student from Idaho who is unable to make friends at college and gravitates towards a group of neo-Nazi skinheads.

Cast

• Omar Epps as Malik Williams
• Kristy Swanson as Kristen Connor
• Michael Rapaport as Remy
• Ice Cube as Fudge
• Jennifer Connelly as Taryn
• Tyra Banks as Deja
• Regina King as Monet
• Jason Wiles as Wayne
• Cole Hauser as Scott Moss
• Busta Rhymes as Dreads
• Laurence Fishburne as Professor Maurice Phipps
• Bradford English as Officer Bradley
• Jay R. Ferguson as Billy
• Andrew Bryniarski as Knocko
• Trevor St. John as James
• Talbert Morton as Erik
• Adam Goldberg as David Isaacs
• J. Trevor Edmond as Eddie
• Bridgette Wilson as Nicole
• Kari Wührer as Claudi
• Morris Chestnut as Track Anchor (Uncredited)
• Gwyneth Paltrow as Student (Uncredited)

Reception

According to Box Office Mojo, Higher Learning grossed $38,290,723 in the United States, with $20,200,000 in rentals.^{[citation needed]} It ranked #17 amongst highest grossing R-rated movies in 1995.

Laurence Fishburne won an Image Award, and Ice Cube was nominated for Image Award in 1996.

Critical response

The film received positive to mixed reviews. Roger Ebert commented about John Singleton's direction of the film: "He sees with a clear eye and a strong will, and is not persuaded by fashionable ideologies. His movies are thought-provoking because he uses familiar kinds of characters and then asks hard questions about them." He awarded the film 3 out of 4 stars. TimeOut Magazine described it as "a stylish, intelligent film-maker, Singleton interweaves the threads of his demographic tapestry with assurance, passion and a welcome awareness of the complexities of the college community's contradictory impulses towards integration and separatism."

Reel Film Reviews wrote, "...Higher Learning is consistently entertaining and well-acted all around. While it's not a perfect movie – Cube's character disappears for a 30-minute stretch and Singleton's approach often veers into heavy-handedness – it is nevertheless an intriguing look at the differences between races and how such differences can clash." (3.5 stars out of 4)

Soundtrack

Main article: Higher Learning (soundtrack)

The soundtrack, containing hip hop, R&B, rock and jazz music was released on January 3, 1995 by Interscope Records. It peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.^{[citation needed]} In addition to "Higher", performed by Ice Cube, the soundtrack includes original music by OutKast, Liz Phair, Tori Amos and Rage Against the Machine.

References

• http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=higherlearning.htm

External links

• Higher Learning at the Internet Movie Database
• Higher Learning at AllRovi