
Youngsters from different countries, races, and social background are forced to integrate when they all enroll in Columbus University. They all have their own problems, such as finance, harrassment, personal safety, and self doubt. Additionally, campus life seems to be causing a problem for everyone: racism. Students, already under pressure to perform in the classroom, on the track, or in front of their friends, are strained to the breaking point by prejudice, inexperience, a... (Full plot summary below)
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Youngsters from different countries, races, and social background are forced to integrate when they all enroll in Columbus University. They all have their own problems, such as finance, harrassment, personal safety, and self doubt. Additionally, campus life seems to be causing a problem for everyone: racism. Students, already under pressure to perform in the classroom, on the track, or in front of their friends, are strained to the breaking point by prejudice, inexperience, and misunderstanding.
Leave your thoughts about Higher Learning.
| New TimesLuke Y. ThompsonFor anyone who's been to USC, it's a pretty hilarious parody of life there. If you take it as presented, however, it's over-dramatic and unbelievable. |
| Film ThreatBrad LaidmanHigher 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. |
| VarietyTodd McCarthyHigher Learning has a great many things on its mind, which immediately places it in a rather exclusive category of American films these days. |
| NewsweekDavid AnsenHigher Learning sells its soul (and its brain) for overwrought melodrama. |
| Rolling StonePeter TraversHigher Learning is seriously intended and seriously flawed. Singleton tends to shout his objectives. But in an era of cop-out escapism, it is gratifying to find a filmmaker who is spoiling to be heard. |
| San Francisco ExaminerDavid ArmstrongStill, 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. |
| Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertSingleton's film is interesting for a lot of reasons, but especially because he stands outside this campus system and looks at it with a detached eye. |
| Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittThe film treats realistic subjects in a stylized way, putting its main energy into exploring ideas rather than building emotional power. [13 Jan 1995, p.B] |
| Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumAiming at a microcosm of American life comparable in some ways to Do the Right Thing, Singleton can't quite justify or explicate his parting message ("unlearn"), but his passion is exemplary. |
| The New York TimesJanet MaslinHigher 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. |