School Daze (1988)
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58% of critics liked it
(19 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(8,391 ratings)
Fraternity and sorority members clash with the other students at a historically black university in this politically charged musical, which marked the sophomore feature from director Spike Lee. Dap (Laurence Fishburne) is a politically conscious brother who leads anti-apartheid demonstrations and… More Fraternity and sorority members clash with the other students at a historically black university in this politically charged musical, which marked the sophomore feature from director Spike Lee. Dap (Laurence Fishburne) is a politically conscious brother who leads anti-apartheid demonstrations and eschews the social climbing of the Greek system. But Half-Pint (Lee), his craven young cousin, is willing to endure any humiliation to join the manly Gamma fraternity. As Half-Pint tries unsuccessfully to impress the Gammas with his inept womanizing, Dap engages in philosophical debates with Rachel (Kyme), his girlfriend. Meanwhile, the light-skinned, straight-haired sisters of the Gamma Ray sorority battle it out in a beauty parlor with their darker-skinned, Afro-headed fellow coeds. Eventually, Half-Pint gets the chance to join the frat, but only after a degrading episode with Jane (Tisha Campbell), the soon-to-be ex-girlfriend of his house president, causes Dap to lose all respect for him. Based in part on the director's experiences at Atlanta's Morehouse College, School Daze was also written and produced by Lee. Despite production numbers that included "Straight and Nappy," a dis-fest between the "wannabes" and "jigaboos" on campus, the biggest hit on the film's soundtrack was the go-go anthem "Da Butt," E.U.'s ode to shaking one's backside. Supporting players Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy also co-starred on the TV comedy A Different World, another look at life on a primarily African-American campus. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Critic Reviews
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
For every tough-minded confrontation between the different student factions, School Daze is apt to offer a love scene less than vital to the plot, or an overlong musical scene whose effect is that of treading water.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
School Daze, with its pompous patchwork plot, is an arrogant, humorless, sexist mess.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Although the film has big structural problems and leaves a lot of loose ends, there was never a moment when it didn't absorb me.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Spike Lee had something in mind while he shot School Daze, his follow-up to the cult hit She's Gotta Have It. Unfortunately it's still lodged behind his cranium.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A shapeless mess that falls far short of the high expectations created by Lee's first feature.
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Cast
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Laurence Fishburneas Vaughn "Dap" Dunlap -
Giancarlo Espositoas Julian "Big Brother Almighty" Eaves -
Tisha Campbellas Jane Toussaint
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Kymeas Rachel Meadows -
Joe Senecaas President McPherson -
Art Evansas Cedar Cloud
