THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 27, 1995 TAG: 9501270065
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMAR ANITAI, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
JUST WHEN YOU think the world can't get any worse, it can. John Singleton paints a morbid and terrifying picture of the potential progression of intolerance, prejudice, stereotyping and ignorance in his new film, ``Higher Learning.''
Set on the fictional campus of Columbus University, ``Higher Learning'' highlights the tensions of its culturally diverse, volatile student body. The different cultures, races and creeds automatically segregate themselves. They are drawn together by their common beliefs and in their resistance against the opposing oppressive cliques.
It seems that no one at Columbus can ``just get along.'' Harsh, explosive slurs are exchanged and quickly escalate into violence. Evil triumphs over hope.
The students refuse to see that the problems are their own. Each time an effort is made to step back and look at matters as they actually are and not as they are assumed to be, those efforts are either negated or ignored.
The movie's voice of reason, a sharp political science professor, appears throughout the film, each time contributing his words of wisdom, his answers and solutions. These are treated too lightly, disregarded by students.
The final devastating results, while unlikely now, could be a crystal ball's prophecy of the near future.
The characters portrayed in the film are small-scale representations of substantial populations. The characters themselves don't have lasting impact; the movie's message is responsible for this.
Laurence Fishburne's portrayal of the omnipotent professor is stimulating. Omar Epps is well cast as a track star enrolled on an athletic scholarship, confronting his personal oppression, which develops and extends beyond the tip of his nose. And Michael Rapaport is especially disturbing as a poorly adjusted, confused freshman whose insecurities lead him to Nazism. Kristy Swanson, Jennifer Connelly, Ice Cube and Tyra Banks complete the cast.
While elements of ``Higher Learning'' may seem improbable, the potential apocalypse is coddled to eminency every day. More horrifying than the content of the movie is the possibility of its becoming reality. It is sad that it takes a movie to make us realize the danger of what surrounds us. But if that's what it takes, then so be it. ``Higher Learning'' does its job. MEMO: ``Higher Learning'' is rated R. Those under 17 must be accompanied by
parent or guardian. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Tamar Anitai is a junior at First Colonial High School.
by CNB