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{{short description|1995 American drama film directed by John N. Smith}}
{{short description|1995 American drama film directed by John N. Smith}}
{{other uses}}
{{other uses}}
{{use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Dangerous Minds
| name = Dangerous Minds
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| cinematography = Pierre Letarte
| cinematography = Pierre Letarte
| editing = [[Tom Rolf]]
| editing = [[Tom Rolf]]
| production_companies = [[Hollywood Pictures]]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59866-DANGEROUS-MINDS|title=Dangerous Minds (1995)|work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|accessdate=September 15, 2022}}</ref>
| production_companies = [[Hollywood Pictures]]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59866-DANGEROUS-MINDS|title=Dangerous Minds (1995)|work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|accessdate=September 15, 2022}}</ref><br>[[Jerry Bruckheimer Films|Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films]]
| distributor = [[Buena Vista Pictures Distribution]]<ref name=afi/>
| distributor = [[Buena Vista Pictures Distribution]]<ref name=afi/>
| released = {{Film date|1995|08|11}}
| released = {{Film date|1995|08|11}}
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| country = United States<ref name=afi/>
| country = United States<ref name=afi/>
| language = English<ref name=afi/>
| language = English<ref name=afi/>
| budget = $23 million<ref name=Numbers>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Dangerous-Minds |title=Dangerous Minds (1995) - Financial Information |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=January 10, 2023}}</ref>
| budget = $23 million{{Cn|date=October 2022}}
| gross = $179.5 million<ref name="mojo">{{cite web|title=Dangerous Minds Box Office Gross|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=dangerousminds.htm}}</ref>
| gross = $179.5 million<ref name="mojo">{{cite web|title=Dangerous Minds|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=dangerousminds.htm}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Dangerous Minds''''' is a 1995 American [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[John N. Smith]] and produced by [[Don Simpson]] and [[Jerry Bruckheimer]]. It is based on the autobiography ''My Posse Don't Do Homework'' by retired [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] [[LouAnne Johnson]], who in 1989 took up a teaching position at [[Carlmont High School]] in [[Belmont, California]], where most of her students were [[African Americans|African-American]] and [[Latino (demonym)|Latino]] teenagers from [[East Palo Alto]], a racially segregated and economically deprived city. [[Michelle Pfeiffer]] stars as Johnson. The critical consensus on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] calls it "rife with stereotypes".<ref name=rt/> The film grossed $179.5 million and led to the creation of a short-lived [[Dangerous Minds (TV series)|television series]].
'''''Dangerous Minds''''' is a 1995 American [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[John N. Smith]], written by [[Ronald Bass]], and produced by [[Don Simpson]] and [[Jerry Bruckheimer]]. It is based on the 1992 autobiography ''My Posse Don't Do Homework'' by retired [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] [[LouAnne Johnson]], who in 1989 took up a teaching position at [[Carlmont High School]] in [[Belmont, California]], where most of her students were [[African Americans|African-American]] and [[Latino (demonym)|Latino]] teenagers from [[East Palo Alto]], a racially segregated and economically deprived city. [[Michelle Pfeiffer]] stars as Johnson. Critical reviews were mixed, with some critics praising Pfeiffer's performance but criticizing the screenplay as contrived and full of stereotypes. The film grossed $179.5 million and spawned a short-lived [[Dangerous Minds (TV series)|television series]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
LouAnne Johnson, a former [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]], applies for a high school teaching job and is surprised and pleased to be offered the position with immediate effect, even though it is a low paying job. Showing up the next day to begin teaching, however, she finds herself confronted with a classroom of tough, sullen teenagers, all from low-income working-class backgrounds, involved in gang warfare and drug pushing, flatly refusing to engage with anything.
LouAnne Johnson, a veteran of the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] and [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], applies for a high school teaching job and is surprised and pleased to be offered the position with immediate effect, even though it is a low paying job. Showing up the next day to begin teaching, however, she finds herself confronted with a classroom of tough, sullen teenagers, all from low-income working-class backgrounds, involved in gang warfare and drug pushing, flatly refusing to engage with anything.


They immediately coin the nickname "White Bread" for LouAnne, due to her race and apparent lack of authority, to which Louanne responds by returning the next day in a leather jacket and teaching them karate. The students show some interest in such activities, but withdraw when LouAnne tries to teach the curriculum.
They immediately coin the nickname "White Bread" for LouAnne, due to her race and apparent lack of authority, to which LouAnne responds by returning the next day in a leather jacket and teaching them karate. The students show some interest in such activities, but withdraw when LouAnne tries to teach the curriculum.


Desperate to reach the students, LouAnne devises classroom exercises that teach similar principles to the prescribed work but using themes and language that appeal to the students. She also tries to motivate them by giving them all an A grade from the beginning of the year and arguing that the only thing required of them is that they maintain it.
Desperate to reach the students, LouAnne devises classroom exercises that teach similar principles to the prescribed work but using themes and language that appeal to the students. She also tries to motivate them by giving them all an A grade from the beginning of the year and arguing that the only thing required of them is that they maintain it.
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* [[Courtney B. Vance]] as George Grandey
* [[Courtney B. Vance]] as George Grandey
* [[Robin Bartlett]] as Carla Nichols
* [[Robin Bartlett]] as Carla Nichols
* [[Beatrice Winde]] as Mary Benton
* Bruklin Harris as Callie Roberts
⚫
* [[John Neville (actor)|John Neville]] as Waiter
⚫
* [[Lorraine Toussaint]] as Irene Roberts
* [[Renoly Santiago]] as Raul Sanchero
* [[Renoly Santiago]] as Raul Sanchero
* [[Wade Dominguez]] as Emilio Ramirez
* [[Wade Dominguez]] as Emilio Ramirez
* Bruklin Harris as Callie Roberts
* [[Beatrice Winde]] as Mary Benton
⚫
* [[Lorraine Toussaint]] as Irene Roberts
⚫
* [[John Neville (actor)|John Neville]] as Waiter
* [[Marcello Thedford]] as Cornelius Bates
* [[Marcello Thedford]] as Cornelius Bates
* Roberto Alvarez as Gusmaro Rivera
* Roberto Alvarez as Gusmaro Rivera
* Richard Grant as Durrell Benton
* Richard Grant as Durrell Benton
* [[Marisela Gonzales]] as Angela
* Marisela Gonzalez as Angela
* Norris Young as Kareem
* Norris Young as Kareem
* [[Karina Arroyave]] as Josy
* [[Karina Arroyave]] as Josy
* [[Paula Garcés]] as Alvina
* [[Paula Garcés]] as Alvina
* Raymond Grant as Lionel Benton
* Raymond Grant as Lionel Benton
* [[Ivan Sergei]] as Huero
* [[Ivan Sergei]] as "Huero"
* [[Gaura Vani]] as Warlock (credited as Gaura Buchwald)
* [[Gaura Vani]] as "Warlock" (credited as Gaura Buchwald)
* Cynthia Avila as Mrs. Sanchero
* Cynthia Avila as Mrs. Sanchero
* Roman Cisneros as Mr. Sanchero
* Roman Cisneros as Mr. Sanchero
* [[Camille Winbush]] as Tyeisha Roberts
* [[Camille Winbush]] as Tyeisha Roberts
* [[Al Israel]] as Santiago
* [[Al Israel]] as Mr. Santiego
* [[Jeffrey Garcia]] as Raoul
* [[Renoly Santiago]] as Raoul
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


==Production==
==Production==
''Dangerous Minds'' was one of the last films of producer [[Don Simpson]]. The school at which LouAnne Johnson taught, [[Carlmont High School]] in [[Belmont, California]], was considered as a filming location, but [[Burlingame High School (California)|Burlingame High School]] in [[Burlingame, California|Burlingame]] was used as the filming location for all the outside scenes, and some indoor scenes filmed at neighboring [[San Mateo High School]]. Most of the filming was done at [[Warner Hollywood Studios]] in [[Burbank, California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pfeiffer-is-pfabulous.com/dangerous-minds/ |title = Dangerous Minds – 95 – Michelle Pfeiffer}}</ref>
''Dangerous Minds'' was one of the last films of producer [[Don Simpson]]. The school at which LouAnne Johnson taught, [[Carlmont High School]] in [[Belmont, California]], was considered as a filming location, but [[Burlingame High School (California)|Burlingame High School]] in [[Burlingame, California|Burlingame]] was used as the filming location for all the outside scenes,<ref name=D23/> and some indoor scenes filmed at neighboring [[San Mateo High School]]. Most of the filming was done at [[Warner Hollywood Studios]] in [[Burbank, California]].<ref name=D23/>


The amusement park scene was done in [[Santa Cruz, California]], at the [[Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk]]. Additional photography was also done in [[Pacoima, Los Angeles|Pacoima]], [[Monrovia, California|Monrovia]], [[Glendale, California|Glendale]], and [[Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles|Sherman Oaks]].
The amusement park scene was done in [[Santa Cruz, California]], at the [[Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baine |first1=Wallace |title=A brief history of movies filmed at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk |url=https://projects.sfchronicle.com/2019/santa-cruz-movie-history/ |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |access-date=10 January 2024 |date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> Additional photography was also done in [[Pacoima, Los Angeles|Pacoima]], [[Monrovia, California|Monrovia]], [[Glendale, California|Glendale]], and [[Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles|Sherman Oaks]].<ref name="D23">{{cite web |title=Dangerous Minds (film) |url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/dangerous-minds-film/ |website=[[D23 (Disney)|D23]] |access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
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===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
[[Rotten Tomatoes]] gives the film an approval score of 33% and an average rating of 4.8/10 based on 43 reviews from critics. The website's "Critics Consensus" for the film reads, "Rife with stereotypes that undermine its good intentions, ''Dangerous Minds'' is too blind to see that the ones it hurts are the audience."<ref name=rt>{{cite web |url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dangerous_minds/ |title=Dangerous Minds (1995) |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |access-date=13 May 2022}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film holds a score of 47 out of 100 sampled from 18 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/dangerousminds |title=Dangerous Minds reviews at Metacritic.com |publisher=metacritic.com |access-date=2009-11-20}}</ref>
[[Rotten Tomatoes]] gives the film an approval score of 34% and an average rating of 4.9/10 based on 44 reviews from critics. The website's "Critics Consensus" for the film reads, "Rife with stereotypes that undermine its good intentions, ''Dangerous Minds'' is too blind to see that the ones it hurts are the audience."<ref name=rt>{{cite web |url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dangerous_minds/ |title=Dangerous Minds (1995) |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film holds a score of 47 out of 100 sampled from 18 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title=Dangerous Minds |url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/dangerousminds |access-date=2009-11-20 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>


[[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called it a "false and condescending film" that "steamrollers its way over some real talent". Although praising Pfeiffer's acting ability, Maslin said that the script limits her to a one-dimension role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=990CE4DB133DF932A2575BC0A963958260 |author-link=Janet Maslin|last=Maslin|first=Janet|title=Movie Review - Dangerous Minds - FILM REVIEW; If Teacher Is Pfeiffer, Can Youths Be All Bad? |publisher=movies.nytimes.com |date=August 11, 1995}}</ref> [[Kenneth Turan]]'s review for the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said that Pfeiffer "is as believable as the film allows her to be", but the film trivializes the subject matter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1995-08-11/entertainment/ca-33858_1_dangerous-minds |first=Kenneth |last=Turan |title=Dangerous Minds - MOVIE REVIEW - Los Angeles Times |publisher=calendarlive.com |date=August 11, 1995}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] wrote in his review for the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' called the film "less than compelling" and said the true story had been watered down to appeal to white audiences, illustrated by the substitution of Dylan songs for rap songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dangerous-minds-1995 |first=Roger |last=Ebert |title=Dangerous Minds :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews |publisher=rogerebert.suntimes.com |date=August 11, 1995}}</ref> Though he said Pfeiffer's acting made the film "fairly entertaining", [[Terrence Rafferty]] of ''[[The New Yorker]]'' criticized the film's screenplay and the sentimental ending, which he said gives Pfeiffer's character an unnecessary halo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/dangerous_minds_smith#ixzz0XRczlUkL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617024323/http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/dangerous_minds_smith |first=Terrence |last=Rafferty |title=Dangerous Minds : The New Yorker |publisher=newyorker.com |date=September 4, 1995 |archive-date=June 17, 2013}}</ref> [[Peter Travers]] in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described the young cast as "outstanding" and praised Pfeiffer's performance, but he said the film "often unspools like a hokey update of [[Sidney Poitier]]'s ''[[To Sir With Love]]''".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/dangerous-minds-19950811 |first=Peter |last=Travers |title=Dangerous Minds : Review : Rolling Stone |date=11 August 1995 |publisher=rollingstone.com |access-date=2009-11-20}}</ref> Kevin McManus also praised the acting, though he wrote in ''[[The Washington Post]]'' that the film "merits only a C", in part because the script's lack of subtlety and the saccharine lines given to the students.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/dangerousmindsrmcmanus_c027c4.htm |first=Kevin |last=McManus |title=Dangerous Minds |work=washingtonpost.com |date=August 11, 1995}}</ref> Edward Guthmann in the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' wrote: "It's contrived, it's hokey, but in ''Dangerous Minds'', a Michelle Pfeiffer vehicle, it works surprisingly well… She's playing with a bag of clichés, but she's so plucky and likable, you overlook the hokum."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1996/02/16/DD39180.DTL |first=Edward |last=Guthmann |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Acts With Class / 'Dangerous Minds' uses teacher plot well |publisher=sfgate.com |date=February 16, 1996}}</ref> ''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out]]'' wrote: "Actually it's quite a respectable piece of work, with an impressive tough-love performance from Pfeiffer, but [[Ronald Bass]]'s hackneyed screenplay is all carrot and no stick."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/64932/dangerous_minds.html |title=Dangerous Minds Review - Film - Time Out London |publisher=timeout.com |access-date=2009-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607132645/http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/64932/dangerous_minds.html |archive-date=2011-06-07 }}</ref>
[[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called it a "false and condescending film" that "steamrollers its way over some real talent". Although praising Pfeiffer's acting ability, Maslin said that the script limits her to a one-dimension role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/11/movies/film-review-if-teacher-is-pfeiffer-can-youths-be-all-bad.html |author-link=Janet Maslin|last=Maslin|first=Janet|title=FILM REVIEW; If Teacher Is Pfeiffer, Can Youths Be All Bad? |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 11, 1995}}</ref> [[Kenneth Turan]]'s review for the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said that Pfeiffer "is as believable as the film allows her to be", but the film trivializes the subject matter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-11-ca-33858-story.html |first=Kenneth |last=Turan |title=MOVIE REVIEWS : Two Stars in a Dim Galaxy |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 11, 1995}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] wrote in his review for the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' called the film "less than compelling" and said the true story had been watered down to appeal to white audiences, illustrated by the substitution of Dylan songs for rap songs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dangerous-minds-1995 |first=Roger |last=Ebert |title=Dangerous Minds |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=August 11, 1995}}</ref> Though he said Pfeiffer's acting made the film "fairly entertaining", [[Terrence Rafferty]] of ''[[The New Yorker]]'' criticized the film's screenplay and the sentimental ending, which he said gives Pfeiffer's character an unnecessary halo.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/dangerous_minds_smith#ixzz0XRczlUkL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617024323/http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/dangerous_minds_smith |first=Terrence |last=Rafferty |title=Dangerous Minds |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |date=September 4, 1995 |archive-date=June 17, 2013}}</ref> [[Peter Travers]] in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described the young cast as "outstanding" and praised Pfeiffer's performance, but he said the film "often unspools like a hokey update of [[Sidney Poitier]]'s ''[[To Sir, with Love]]''".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/dangerous-minds-19950811 |first=Peter |last=Travers |title=Dangerous Minds |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=11 August 1995 |access-date=2009-11-20}}</ref> Kevin McManus of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' also praised the acting, though he wrote that the film "merits only a C", in part because of the script's lack of subtlety and the saccharine lines given to the students.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/dangerousmindsrmcmanus_c027c4.htm |first=Kevin |last=McManus |title=Dangerous Minds |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 11, 1995}}</ref> Edward Guthmann in the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' wrote: "It's contrived, it's hokey, but in ''Dangerous Minds'', a Michelle Pfeiffer vehicle, it works surprisingly well... She's playing with a bag of clichés, but she's so plucky and likable, you overlook the hokum."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Michelle-Pfeiffer-Acts-With-Class-Dangerous-2994252.php |first=Edward |last=Guthmann |title=Michelle Pfeiffer Acts With Class / 'Dangerous Minds' uses teacher plot well |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=February 16, 1996}}</ref> ''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out]]'' wrote: "Actually it's quite a respectable piece of work, with an impressive tough-love performance from Pfeiffer, but [[Ronald Bass]]'s hackneyed screenplay is all carrot and no stick."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/64932/dangerous_minds.html |title=Dangerous Minds Review - Film |website=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out London]] |access-date=2009-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607132645/http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/64932/dangerous_minds.html |archive-date=2011-06-07 }}</ref>


===Accolades===
===Accolades===
⚫
The [[Dangerous Minds (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] and its lead single "[[Gangsta's Paradise]]" enjoyed major success and received nominations for the [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year]] and the [[NAACP Image Awards|NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Soundtrack Album]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tregoning |first1=Jack |title=How 1995 Became A Blockbuster Year For Movie Soundtracks |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/1995-soundtracks-film-batman-forever-clueless-waiting-exhale-whitney-houston |website=grammy.com |access-date=10 January 2024 |date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> [[Coolio]] won the [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance]] for his vocals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coolio |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/coolio/8014 |website=grammy.com |access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref>
{{More citations needed|section|date=October 2022}}
⚫
The [[Dangerous Minds (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] and its lead single "[[Gangsta's Paradise]]" enjoyed major success and received nominations for the [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year]] and the [[NAACP Image Awards|NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Soundtrack Album]]. [[Coolio]] won the [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance]] for his vocals.


At the [[MTV Movie Awards 1996]], ''Dangerous Minds'' was nominated in four categories: [[MTV Movie Award for Best Movie|Best Movie]], [[MTV Movie Award for Best Performance|Best Female Performance]] (Michelle Pfeiffer), [[MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Female|Most Desirable Female]] (Michelle Pfeiffer) and [[MTV Movie Award for Best Song From a Movie|Best Movie Song]] (Coolio).
At the [[MTV Movie Awards 1996]], ''Dangerous Minds'' was nominated in four categories: [[MTV Movie Award for Best Movie|Best Movie]], [[MTV Movie Award for Best Performance|Best Female Performance]] (Michelle Pfeiffer), [[MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Female|Most Desirable Female]] (Michelle Pfeiffer) and [[MTV Movie Award for Best Song From a Movie|Best Movie Song]] (Coolio).<ref>{{cite web |title=1996 MTV Movie Awards |url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/1996/ |website=[[MTV]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423094823/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/1996/ |archive-date=2008-04-23 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


The music video for "[[Gangsta's Paradise]]", featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, won the [[MTV Music Video Awards|MTV Music Video Award for Best Rap Video]] and the [[MTV Music Video Awards|MTV Music Video Award for Best Video from a Film]].
The music video for "[[Gangsta's Paradise]]", featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, won the [[MTV Music Video Awards|MTV Music Video Award for Best Rap Video]] and the [[MTV Music Video Awards|MTV Music Video Award for Best Video from a Film]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boardman |first1=Madeline |title=Flashback to the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards |url=https://ew.com/gallery/mtv-vmas-1996/ |website=EW.com |access-date=10 January 2024 |date=August 23, 2016}}</ref>


Michelle Pfeiffer won the [[Blockbuster Entertainment Awards|Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress – Drama]].
Michelle Pfeiffer won the [[Blockbuster Entertainment Awards|Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress – Drama]].
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| {{Won}}
| {{Won}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Grammy Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | [[39th Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]]
| [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]
| [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]
| [[Gangsta's Paradise]] by [[Coolio]]
| rowspan="2" | "[[Gangsta's Paradise]]" by [[Coolio]]
| {{Nominated}}
| {{Nominated}}
|-
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance|Best Rap Solo Performance]]
| [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance|Best Rap Solo Performance]]
⚫
| [[Gangsta's Paradise]] by [[Coolio]]
| {{Won}}
| {{Won}}
|-
|-
| [[Image Awards|NAACP Image Awards]]
| [[Image Awards|NAACP Image Awards]]
| [[Image Award|Outstanding Soundtrack Album]]
| colspan="2" | [[Image Award|Outstanding Soundtrack Album]]
|
| {{Nominated}}
| {{Nominated}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[MTV Movie Awards]]
| rowspan="4" | [[1996 MTV Movie Awards|MTV Movie Awards]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Movie|Best Movie]]
| colspan="2" | [[MTV Movie Award for Best Movie|Best Movie]]
|
| {{Nominated}}
| {{Nominated}}
|-
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Performance|Best Female Performance]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Performance|Best Female Performance]]
| [[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
| rowspan="2" | Michelle Pfeiffer
| {{Nominated}}
| {{Nominated}}
|-
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Female|Most Desirable Female]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Female|Most Desirable Female]]
| [[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
| {{Nominated}}
| {{Nominated}}
|-
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Song From a Movie|Best Movie Song]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Song From a Movie|Best Movie Song]]
⚫
| rowspan="3" | "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio
| [[Coolio]]
| {{Nominated}}
| {{Nominated}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[MTV Video Music Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Awards]]
| [[MTV Music Video Awards|Best Rap Video]]
| [[MTV Music Video Awards|Best Rap Video]]
| [[Gangsta's Paradise]] by [[Coolio]]
| {{Won}}
| {{Won}}
|-
|-
| [[MTV Music Video Awards|Best Video from a Film]]
| [[MTV Music Video Awards|Best Video from a Film]]
| [[Gangsta's Paradise]] by [[Coolio]]
| {{Won}}
| {{Won}}
|}
|}
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The film is recognized by [[American Film Institute]] in these lists:
The film is recognized by [[American Film Institute]] in these lists:
* 2004: [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs]]:
* 2004: [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs]]:
** "[[Gangsta's Paradise]]" – Nominated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/songs400.pdf |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs Nominees |access-date=2016-07-30}}</ref>
** "[[Gangsta's Paradise]]" – Nominated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/songs400.pdf |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs Nominees |access-date=2016-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313152313/http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/songs400.pdf |archive-date=March 13, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
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==Television series==
==Television series==
The commercial success of the film prompted the creation of a spin-off television series, ''[[Dangerous Minds (TV series)|Dangerous Minds]]'', featuring [[Annie Potts]] in the role of LouAnne Johnson. The series premiered on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] on September 30, 1996, and ended on March 15, 1997, after one season of seventeen episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/dangerous-minds-1996/episodes/ |title=Dangerous Minds Season 1 Episode Guide on TV.com |publisher=tv.com |access-date=2009-11-21}}</ref>
The commercial success of the film prompted the creation of a spin-off television series, ''[[Dangerous Minds (TV series)|Dangerous Minds]]'', featuring [[Annie Potts]] in the role of LouAnne Johnson. The series premiered on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] on September 30, 1996, and ended on March 15, 1997, after one season of seventeen episodes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/dangerous-minds-1996/episodes/ |title=Dangerous Minds Season 1 Episode Guide on TV.com |publisher=tv.com |access-date=2009-11-21 |archive-date=2012-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106115917/http://www.tv.com/shows/dangerous-minds-1996/episodes/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:American teen drama films]]
[[Category:American teen drama films]]
[[Category:Biographical films about educators]]
[[Category:Biographical films about educators]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of American women]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of American people]]
[[Category:Films about teacher–student relationships]]
[[Category:Films about teacher–student relationships]]
[[Category:Films adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Films adapted into television shows]]
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[[Category:Films with screenplays by Ronald Bass]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Ronald Bass]]
[[Category:Hollywood Pictures films]]
[[Category:Hollywood Pictures films]]
[[Category:Hood films]]
[[Category:Jerry Bruckheimer Films films]]
[[Category:1990s hood films]]
[[Category:Teen crime films]]
[[Category:Teen crime films]]
[[Category:English-language biographical drama films]]
[[Category:English-language crime films]]

Latest revision as of 22:13, 29 November 2024

For other uses, see Dangerous Minds (disambiguation).

Dangerous Minds
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn N. Smith
Screenplay byRonald Bass
Based onMy Posse Don't Do Homework
by LouAnne Johnson
Produced byDon Simpson
Jerry Bruckheimer
Starring
CinematographyPierre Letarte
Edited byTom Rolf
Music byWendy & Lisa
Production
companies
Distributed byBuena Vista Pictures Distribution[1]
Release date
  • August 11, 1995 (1995-08-11)
Running time
99 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States[1]
LanguageEnglish[1]
Budget$23 million[2]
Box office$179.5 million[3]

Dangerous Minds is a 1995 American drama film directed by John N. Smith, written by Ronald Bass, and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. It is based on the 1992 autobiography My Posse Don't Do Homework by retired U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson, who in 1989 took up a teaching position at Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, where most of her students were African-American and Latino teenagers from East Palo Alto, a racially segregated and economically deprived city. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Johnson. Critical reviews were mixed, with some critics praising Pfeiffer's performance but criticizing the screenplay as contrived and full of stereotypes. The film grossed $179.5 million and spawned a short-lived television series.

Plot

[edit]

LouAnne Johnson, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, applies for a high school teaching job and is surprised and pleased to be offered the position with immediate effect, even though it is a low paying job. Showing up the next day to begin teaching, however, she finds herself confronted with a classroom of tough, sullen teenagers, all from low-income working-class backgrounds, involved in gang warfare and drug pushing, flatly refusing to engage with anything.

They immediately coin the nickname "White Bread" for LouAnne, due to her race and apparent lack of authority, to which LouAnne responds by returning the next day in a leather jacket and teaching them karate. The students show some interest in such activities, but withdraw when LouAnne tries to teach the curriculum.

Desperate to reach the students, LouAnne devises classroom exercises that teach similar principles to the prescribed work but using themes and language that appeal to the students. She also tries to motivate them by giving them all an A grade from the beginning of the year and arguing that the only thing required of them is that they maintain it.

In order to introduce them to poetry, LouAnne uses the lyrics of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" to teach symbolism and metaphor; once this is achieved, she progresses on to Dylan Thomas's "Do not go gentle into that good night". LouAnne rewards the students liberally, using candy bars, reward incentives, and a trip to a theme park. Her methods draw the attention of the school authorities, George Grandey and Carla Nichols, who try to force her to remain within the curriculum.

A few particular students attract LouAnne's interest for their personal problems. Raul Sanchero is a boy who is frequently involved in gang warfare and street crime. LouAnne tries to encourage him to focus by paying a special visit to his family to congratulate him on his work and going to dinner with him as a way of instilling confidence and self-respect.

Emilio Ramirez is her most troublesome personal "project", as he believes strongly in a sense of personal honor that prevents him from asking for help. When LouAnne discovers that his life is in danger because of a personal grudge held by a recently released thug, she advises him to seek help from Principal Grandey. The next day, Emilio visits Grandey, but Grandey (not realizing that Emilio is in serious danger) instantly dismisses him because he neglected to knock on the door before entering his office.

Feeling rejected, Emilio leaves the school and is subsequently killed by his rival. Heartbroken by her failure to protect Emilio and angry at the indifferent school system for contributing to his death, LouAnne announces to the class her intention to leave the school at the end of the academic year. The students immediately break down, begging her not to leave. Overwhelmed by their unbridled display of emotion, she decides to stay.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Dangerous Minds was one of the last films of producer Don Simpson. The school at which LouAnne Johnson taught, Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, was considered as a filming location, but Burlingame High School in Burlingame was used as the filming location for all the outside scenes,[4] and some indoor scenes filmed at neighboring San Mateo High School. Most of the filming was done at Warner Hollywood Studios in Burbank, California.[4]

The amusement park scene was done in Santa Cruz, California, at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.[5] Additional photography was also done in Pacoima, Monrovia, Glendale, and Sherman Oaks.[4]

Release

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Dangerous Minds was released in the United States on August 11, 1995. It grossed a total of $179.5 million worldwide.[3]

Critical reception

[edit]

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval score of 34% and an average rating of 4.9/10 based on 44 reviews from critics. The website's "Critics Consensus" for the film reads, "Rife with stereotypes that undermine its good intentions, Dangerous Minds is too blind to see that the ones it hurts are the audience."[6] On Metacritic, the film holds a score of 47 out of 100 sampled from 18 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[7]

Janet Maslin of The New York Times called it a "false and condescending film" that "steamrollers its way over some real talent". Although praising Pfeiffer's acting ability, Maslin said that the script limits her to a one-dimension role.[8] Kenneth Turan's review for the Los Angeles Times said that Pfeiffer "is as believable as the film allows her to be", but the film trivializes the subject matter.[9] Roger Ebert wrote in his review for the Chicago Sun-Times called the film "less than compelling" and said the true story had been watered down to appeal to white audiences, illustrated by the substitution of Dylan songs for rap songs.[10] Though he said Pfeiffer's acting made the film "fairly entertaining", Terrence Rafferty of The New Yorker criticized the film's screenplay and the sentimental ending, which he said gives Pfeiffer's character an unnecessary halo.[11] Peter Travers in Rolling Stone described the young cast as "outstanding" and praised Pfeiffer's performance, but he said the film "often unspools like a hokey update of Sidney Poitier's To Sir, with Love".[12] Kevin McManus of The Washington Post also praised the acting, though he wrote that the film "merits only a C", in part because of the script's lack of subtlety and the saccharine lines given to the students.[13] Edward Guthmann in the San Francisco Chronicle wrote: "It's contrived, it's hokey, but in Dangerous Minds, a Michelle Pfeiffer vehicle, it works surprisingly well... She's playing with a bag of clichés, but she's so plucky and likable, you overlook the hokum."[14] Time Out wrote: "Actually it's quite a respectable piece of work, with an impressive tough-love performance from Pfeiffer, but Ronald Bass's hackneyed screenplay is all carrot and no stick."[15]

Accolades

[edit]

The soundtrack and its lead single "Gangsta's Paradise" enjoyed major success and received nominations for the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Soundtrack Album.[16] Coolio won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for his vocals.[17]

At the MTV Movie Awards 1996, Dangerous Minds was nominated in four categories: Best Movie, Best Female Performance (Michelle Pfeiffer), Most Desirable Female (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Best Movie Song (Coolio).[18]

The music video for "Gangsta's Paradise", featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, won the MTV Music Video Award for Best Rap Video and the MTV Music Video Award for Best Video from a Film.[19]

Michelle Pfeiffer won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress – Drama.

Awarding Body Award Nominee Result
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Actress - Drama Michelle Pfeiffer Won
Grammy Awards Record of the Year "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio Nominated
Best Rap Solo Performance Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Soundtrack Album Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Movie Nominated
Best Female Performance Michelle Pfeiffer Nominated
Most Desirable Female Nominated
Best Movie Song "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards Best Rap Video Won
Best Video from a Film Won

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

Soundtrack

[edit]
Year Title Chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
U.S. U.S. R&B
1995 Dangerous Minds
  • Released: August 10, 1995
  • Label: MCA
 1 1
  • US: 3× Platinum

Television series

[edit]

The commercial success of the film prompted the creation of a spin-off television series, Dangerous Minds, featuring Annie Potts in the role of LouAnne Johnson. The series premiered on ABC on September 30, 1996, and ended on March 15, 1997, after one season of seventeen episodes.[21]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Dangerous Minds (1995)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "Dangerous Minds (1995) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Dangerous Minds". Box Office Mojo.
  4. ^ a b c "Dangerous Minds (film)". D23. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  5. ^ Baine, Wallace (March 22, 2019). "A brief history of movies filmed at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  6. ^ "Dangerous Minds (1995)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  7. ^ "Dangerous Minds". Metacritic. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  8. ^ Maslin, Janet (August 11, 1995). "FILM REVIEW; If Teacher Is Pfeiffer, Can Youths Be All Bad?". The New York Times.
  9. ^ Turan, Kenneth (August 11, 1995). "MOVIE REVIEWS : Two Stars in a Dim Galaxy". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ Ebert, Roger (August 11, 1995). "Dangerous Minds". Chicago Sun-Times.
  11. ^ Rafferty, Terrence (September 4, 1995). "Dangerous Minds". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013.
  12. ^ Travers, Peter (August 11, 1995). "Dangerous Minds". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  13. ^ McManus, Kevin (August 11, 1995). "Dangerous Minds". The Washington Post.
  14. ^ Guthmann, Edward (February 16, 1996). "Michelle Pfeiffer Acts With Class / 'Dangerous Minds' uses teacher plot well". San Francisco Chronicle.
  15. ^ "Dangerous Minds Review - Film". Time Out London. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  16. ^ Tregoning, Jack (August 9, 2020). "How 1995 Became A Blockbuster Year For Movie Soundtracks". grammy.com. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  17. ^ "Coolio". grammy.com. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "1996 MTV Movie Awards". MTV. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008.
  19. ^ Boardman, Madeline (August 23, 2016). "Flashback to the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards". EW.com. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  20. ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs Nominees" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  21. ^ "Dangerous Minds Season 1 Episode Guide on TV.com". tv.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
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