Review of School Ties (1992) by Deb S — 10 Jul 2011

Is it worth breaking tradition?

Brendan Fraser stars as David Greene, a gifted student and an all-American high school football player admitted into a Catholic school for the academically talented, for the purpose of giving them a winning football team and giving himself almost certain admittance into Harvard. With the exception of the coach and a few high-up faculty members, no one knows that David is Jewish and when he realizes that almost everyone there hates Jews, he hides his ethnicity. Of course, someone eventually finds out and David now faces intense racism from those who were once his friends including Charlie (played by Matt Damon) who takes a liking to David until David steals his position on the football team and even the girl he has a crush on. David, now ostracized by his peers, has a chance at redemption when he sees one of the other students cheating on the midterm exam but the tables are turned when he himself is accused of cheating. The rest of the film focuses on whether or not the truth will come out and what the consequences are. Lots of attractive young actors here including Cole Hauser, Ben Affleck and Chris O'Donnell who shines as David's roommate with a heart of gold who doesn't agree with the religious discrimination!