SummaryFirst-term freshmen get a crash course in diversity, identity and sexuality in a bold look at contemporary college life. (Sony Pictures)
Directed By:John Singleton
Written By:John Singleton
Higher Learning
Metascore
Mixed or Average
54
User score
Generally Favorable
6.4
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
54
35% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
60% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
5% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
80
Higher Learning is John Singleton's interracial state of today's campuses version of School Daze minus the musical numbers. Surprisingly, it's just as much a gang movie if not more than Boyz 'n the Hood.
75
Still, Singleton's willingness to take risks makes this a worthy, thoughtful film. Especially noteworthy: His sensitive handling of a love triangle between Kristen and her boyfriend and Kristen and another woman.
63
When this movie is quiet and introspective, it speaks with a clear voice. That insight gets muddled, however, the more forceful Singleton becomes.
60
Higher Learning culminates in facile violence instead of the assurance that this film maker, in trying to explain forces that oppress his characters, has really done his homework.
50
John Singleton stumbles badly with a terribly awkward but well-intentioned drama about political correctness and race at a contemporary university. [13 Jan 1995, p.B]
40
Higher Learning put me in mind of a long lecture by a well-meaning but dull professor. What he has to say may be worthwhile, but it's delivered with plodding predictability. [12 Jan 1995, p.A12]
25
Higher Learning says nothing new or challenging and is too naive to inspire controversy.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.4
54% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
31% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
15% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Feb 24, 2013
8
Higher Learning is a very bold film, that shows the paths of 3 college freshman and how they develop socially during their first semester in college. They start out as a group of naive kids, who don't even understand themselves, and develop into different persona's that fit the group of friends they choose to fall in with. It's really interesting to see how 3 people, who are all in the same boat, wind up on such different paths, simply as a result of who they choose to spend their time with. I can't really say much more, but eventually their paths will cross with some very interesting results!
Production Company:
- Columbia Pictures
- New Deal Productions
Release Date:Jan 11, 1995
Duration:2 h 7 m
Rating:R
Tagline:18.000 Estudiantes 33 Nacionalidades 6 Razas 2 Sexos 1 Campus (18,000 Students 33 Nationalities 6 races 2 Sexes 1 Campus) (Spain release)
Awards
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
