Review of Higher Learning (1995) by Anomaly . — 29 Sep 2012

John Singleton is a man with a lot to say, and with "Higher Learning", he tries to stuff it all into one movie. His primary focus is racism, but he also throws in subplots concerning women's rights and date rape, and it's just too much to cover in one two hour movie.

Singleton is a passionate, prolific writer, and there are some great moments of authenticity here, such as the white woman nervous to be alone in an elevator with a strange black male and the way a confused loner is easily seduced by a white supremacy group. And unfortunately, the violent tragedy that concludes the film has become all too believable in today's society.

However, on the whole, the picture is terribly shallow filled with stereotypes and it fails to offer any real insight into its subject matter. Spike Lee honestly said pretty much everything that needed to be said on the subject with "Do The Right Thing", and this constantly plays like a weak retread. A lot of it feels genuine, but in the same breath I must also say that nearly as much feels exaggerated just to make a point. Or maybe it's just that people have come a long way in the short time since the film's release.

Of the ensemble cast, Michael Rapaport stands out as the loner who joins a Neo Nazi group. His character is obviously complicated and Rapaport convincingly portrays a man who just wants to be accepted, but the film pretty much lost my respect in the scene following his rampage. Watching the security guards beating up on the innocent black kid while letting the shooter escape left me incensed. Singleton had pounded his message home enough by that time. That was just overkill.

"Higher Learning" is loaded with good intentions, but only some of them are realized. It's a valiant effort that is only marginally successful.