Hard Lessons

Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THIS MOVIE!
Review: I REMEMBER THIS MOVIE A LONG TIME AGO!
DENZEL WAS JUST STARTING OUT, KIND OF!
THE STORY WAS HEART WARMING, BEFORE LEAN ON ME JOE CLARK!
WAS MR. MCKENNA!
I REMEMBER ONE KID FATHER DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GO TO SCHOOL!
THAT WAS AWFUL!
THIS MOVIE IS GREAT!*****

Rating:
Summary: Denzel Strikes Again!
Review: I seriously doubt Mr. Denzel Washington is able to give anything less than a performance of total conviction, as he proves once again to me here in one of his earliest leading roles. In a true-life portrayal of George McKenna, new principal to the trouble-torn George Washington Memorial High School, he is wholly convincing. The problems he encounters are not solely those caused by the students, but also the parents and indeed some of the teachers. His determination to turn things round stems from his passion that his pupils WILL graduate to college if they want to, and that this will never happen if they don't feel anyone cares about them. Despite resistance from some pupils and teachers,(not to mention ongoing gang warfare within the grounds), others rise to the occasion, both for themselves and for McKenna himself, such is the respect he gains. In the process of such diligence his once supportive girlfriend leaves him under the pressure of his split commitments, but as for the School, he succeeds. Seeing the graduating students really is a heartwarming moment! Having previously seen "187", it does make the violent scenes and troublesome pupils here look bland by comparison, but its hard to tell if this film was sanitised or "187" sensationalised. Regardless, its still well worth the watch, especially if you respect Denzel's work in later movies already.