Dangerous Minds

Dangerous Minds is a 1995 American drama film directed by John N. Smith, based on the autobiographical book My Posse Don't Do Homework by LouAnne Johnson. The film follows the story of a former Marine, LouAnne Johnson (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), who becomes a high school teacher in a low-income neighborhood and uses unconventional methods to reach her students and help them realize their potential. The movie starts with LouAnne being offered a teaching job at Parkmont High School, despite her lack of experience. She is excited to start her new job, but soon realizes that her classroom is full of tough and disinterested teenagers who are not interested in learning. They give her the nickname "White Bread" because of her race and apparent lack of authority. Desperate to reach her students, LouAnne decides to take matters into her own hands and starts using unconventional methods to engage them. She begins teaching karate, uses music lyrics to explain poetry, and even has the students write their own rap songs. Although these methods seem unorthodox, they work, and the students start showing interest in learning. However, not everyone is pleased with LouAnne's approach. The school's principal, George Grandey (played by Richard Farnsworth), is skeptical of her methods and threatens to fire her if she doesn't conform to traditional teaching practices. Despite this opposition, LouAnne continues to use innovative ways to reach her students and eventually gains their respect and trust. Throughout the film, we see how much effort LouAnne puts into helping each student individually - from helping them write college applications essays when they think it’s ‘too hard’ or just motivating one student in particular - Emilio Ramirez (played by Ruben Blades) - who initially comes off as group leader/bully but reveals himself later on as intelligent though scared he won’t meet his father’s expectations so he holds himself back on purpose so as not too disappoint him since he believes that would hurt more than anything else could ever penetrate through onto him deeply enough without first going through proper channels first according only what others have told him about said topic at hand without contributing anything original himself due primarily because no one gave him attention when speaking up nor were willing listen when needed without judgemental glances both ways before verbal responses came forth from other parties present during discussions involving several issues relevant within today’s society among youth especially those coming from similar backgrounds like these kids depicted here where survival outweighs education sadly but must nevertheless strive toward success no matter obstacles faced along journey ahead sans any further ado!

You can stream Dangerous Minds on:

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Dangerous Minds include The Shawshank Redemption, American History X, Fight Club, American Beauty, Erin Brockovich, Magnolia.

Dangerous Minds was released in theaters on August 11, 1995.