Higher Learning (1995)
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50% of critics liked it
(34 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(20,228 ratings)
This drama examines the personal, political, and racial dilemmas facing a group of college freshmen as they begin their first semester at Columbus University. Malik (Omar Epps) is an African-American student attending on a track scholarship; academics are not his strong suit, and he goes in thinking… More This drama examines the personal, political, and racial dilemmas facing a group of college freshmen as they begin their first semester at Columbus University. Malik (Omar Epps) is an African-American student attending on a track scholarship; academics are not his strong suit, and he goes in thinking that his athletic abilities will earn him a free ride through college. Fudge (Ice Cube), a "professional student" who has been at Columbus for six years so far, becomes friendly with Malik and challenges his views about race and politics in America, while Professor Phipps (Laurence Fishburne), a black man who teaches political science, firmly tells Malik that he will not be graded on a different standard either because of his race or his ability to run quickly. With Deja (Tyra Banks), Malik finds a girlfriend, a tutor, and a training partner all rolled into one. Meanwhile, Kristen (Kristy Swanson), a somewhat naive young woman from California, meets a boy named Billy (Jay R. Ferguson) after both have had too much to drink at a beer blast; Kristen soon becomes a victim of date rape and becomes involved with a campus feminist group to deal with the painful experience. While working with the women's group, Kristen gets to know Taryn (Jennifer Connelly), a strong but understanding woman who is also a lesbian, and she finds herself becoming attracted to her. And Remy (Michael Rappaport) is a confused young man from the Midwest who feels lost in the multi-cultural atmosphere of Columbus. He is approached by Scott (Cole Hauser), a member of a group of racist skinheads, who believe that Remy is a perfect candidate to help carry out his group's violent goals. Keep an eye peeled for Gwyneth Paltrow, who has a bit part as a student; rap stars Busta Rhymes, D-Knowledge and Mista Grimm also appear in supporting roles. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Singleton
- Written By
- John Singleton
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Jun 1, 1994 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 3, 2001
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Despite some likable performances (Epps is especially winning), the drama in Higher Learning is constricted, hemmed in by Singleton's compulsion to view his characters as walking paradigms of racial and sexual politics.
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Todd McCarthy, Variety
Higher Learning has a great many things on its mind, which immediately places it in a rather exclusive category of American films these days.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
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.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
Everyone here, from beer-swilling white fraternity boys to rap-loving black students harassed by the campus police, can be judged at face value. Everyone is exactly what he or she seems.
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Higher Learning is often clichéd, unfocused and didactic. But Singleton has a goal most of his contemporaries have given up on: He wants to make a movie that makes a difference.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Omar Epps
as Malik Williams
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Kristy Swanson
as Kristen Connor
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Michael Rapaport
as Remy
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Jennifer Connelly
as Taryn
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Ice Cube
as Fudge
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Jason Wiles
as Wayne
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Randall Batinkoff
as Chad Shadowhill
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Andrew Bryniarski
as Knocko
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Bradford English
as Officer Bradley
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Bill Evans
as Security Guard
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Laurence Fishburne
as Professor Maurice Phipps
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Colleen Fitzpatrick
as Festival Singer
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Adam Goldberg
as David Isaacs
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Cole Hauser
as Scott Moss
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Regina King
as Monet
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Malcolm Norrington
as Cory
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Warren Olney
as T.V. Reporter
- Gwyneth Paltrow
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Alicia Stevenson
as Monet's Friend
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Bridgette Wilson
as Nicole
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Kari Wuhrer
as Claudia
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Rick Avery
as Guard Beats Malik
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Jay R. Ferguson
as Billy
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Graham Galloway
as Frat Member
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Skip O'Brien
as Security Guard
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Tyra Banks
as Deja
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Busta Rhymes
as Dreads
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J. Trevor Edmond
as Eddie
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Chad Dowdell
as Disgruntled Yet Eager Student

