Lean on Me

This blog entry about the movie LEAN ON ME (1989) is the first of four entries discussing movies about school, teachers, and education. In addition to being a writer, I am a school administrator and teacher. When I first watched these films, I was not an educator, so my perspective of certain aspects in them has evolved.

LEAN ON ME is a biographical drama based on Joe Louis Clark who was a principal at Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey. Morgan Freeman plays the controversial disciplinarian. One of the unconventional methods he uses in the movie is putting chains and padlocks on all the doors to keep gangs and drug dealers out of the school. Eastside High School is in an urban community and, unfortunately, certain activities that take place outside the school are brought inside. Students, faculty, and staff are happy about the chains and padlocks on the doors, but a parent, Leonna Barrett (Lynne Thigpen), is distressed by the approach and that her son is expelled, so she resolves to get Mr. Clark fired.

The school also grapples with students receiving low scores on a basic skills test and is in danger of the state taking control of it, which is why school district superintendent Dr. Frank Napier (Robert Guillaume) suggested hiring Mr. Clark, a former teacher at Eastside High School. Since students realize Mr. Clark cares about their well-being and education, they are motivated to study, learn, and raise the school’s basic skills test scores. One student, Thomas Sams (Jermaine Hopkins) who is expelled because of drug use, even begs Mr. Clark to allow him to return to school.

LEAN ON ME shows what several schools throughout the United States struggle with, but not all of them are in urban areas. There are also rural and suburban schools that have issues with gangs and/or drugs and receive low scores on state exams. This becomes clear once one has worked in schools and the movie takes on a different meaning. Most viewers see Mr. Clark as an inspirational figure who makes a positive impact on a school. Educators recognize that, but also take away from the story that certain tactics may or may not work at their schools for administering student discipline and teaching academic standards for a state exam.

A similar movie to LEAN ON ME is the biographical made for television movie, THE GEORGE MCKENNA STORY (1986) starring Denzel Washington. For the video release the title is HARD LESSONS. The movie is based on McKenna, who was a principal at George Washington Preparatory High School in South Los Angeles, California.

Hotel Mumbai

HOTEL MUMBAI is an exceptional dramatic thriller that is based on a true story. Dev Patel plays Arjun, a waiter at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai, India. One night a group of terrorists raid the hotel and 11 other locations in Mumbai. Employees and guests are trapped in the hotel for several hours as they wait for special forces to arrive from New Delhi. The movie is intense and definitely keeps its audience on edge.

HOTEL MUMBAI also stars Armie Hammer as David, an American married to a Muslim Iranian-British heiress named Zahra (Nazanin Boniadi). The film ends by showing the actual people who endured the horrific events. They have reunited at the renovated Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.

I saw HOTEL MUMBAI at a theatre in April. Now you may watch the movie on various Web sites, including YouTube, Amazon Prime, Vudu, and Google Play.

On the Basis of Sex

Felicity Jones gives an exceptional performance as United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in ON THE BASIS OF SEX. Jones efficiently shows strength and determination throughout the story. Ginsburg attends Harvard Law School in the 1950's when there are few women students. Her husband Martin (Armie Hammer) is also a student at Harvard Law. When he falls ill, she attends both her and his classes. The couple's partnership also consists of raising their two children and working as joint counsel for a case that makes it possible for Ginsburg to practice law.

In the 1960's very few women practice law, so Ginsburg teaches law. She is not satisfied with this, and in 1970 when Martin discovers a tax law case involving a man named Charles Moritz (Chris Mulkey) who hires a nurse to help him care for his aging mother, Ruth accepts it.  Moritz is denied a tax deduction for the nursing care because the deduction is limited to "a woman, a widower or divorcee, or a husband whose wife is incapacitated or institutionalized," which is Section 214 of the Internal Revenue Code. The opportunity allows Ginsburg to overturn the law, which also challenges laws that discriminate against women. Additionally, she believes winning the case will start her career of practicing law.

In the United States landmark cases and laws have made it possible for school integration (Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, 1954) and voting rights for all (Voting Rights Act, 1965). In the 1970's Ruth Bader Ginsburg makes it possible for women to work in professions seen as only for men by successfully proving that a man is discriminated against on the basis of his sex. As society changes, the laws should change.

ON THE BASIS OF SEX is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is http://focusfeatures.com/on-the-basis-of-sex.

Gotti

GOTTI is a fun movie. The film is cut (edited) in a way that keeps a serious subject light (by inserting some humor). The lively mood is also due to the splendid cast, including lead actor John Travolta, who plays John "Dapper Don" Gotti, the real life New York City mobster and Kelly Preston (Travolta's real life wife) who plays his wife, Victoria Gotti. In addition, the film stars Stacy Keach (Niel Dellacroce) and Pruitt Taylor Vince (Angelo Ruggiero).

GOTTI is written by Lem Dobbs and actor Leo Rossi, who plays Bobby Boriello. The movie is directed by actor and director Kevin Connolly, and covers the three decades that Gotti reigned as a crime boss. Also, viewers see how his son, John Gotti, Jr., played by Spencer Lofranco, is brought into the Gambino crime family. GOTTI is very different from most mob films, as it focuses more on Gotti as a family man and how his community acknowledges him for his generosity. However, his unmerciful crimes are shown.

GOTTI is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is http://gotti-movie.com/.

A Quiet Passion

Emily Dickinson was an American poet. Unfortunately, Dickinson's poems were published with significant altering during her lifetime. In 1955 Thomas H. Johnson published The Poems of Emily Dickinson, and the literature was unaltered.

A QUIET PASSION eloquently showcases the life of Emily Dickinson with an outstanding performance by Cynthia Nixon as Dickinson. The movie is quiet and quaint just like Dickinson herself. Writer and director Terence Davies shows compassion for his subject. The audience learns about the life of the reclusive poet, details that many would have never known about her.

A QUIET PASSION is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is http://www.musicboxfilms.com/a-quiet-passion-movies-153.php.

The Man Who Knew Infinity

In THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY Dev Patel plays Srinivasa Ramanujan, a self-educated mathematician who grew up poor in Madras, India. Indian mathematicians quickly recognize Ramanujan's genius, but it takes longer for others to acknowledge it. The film is based on the 1991 biography novel titled The Man Who Knew Infinity by Robert Kanigel.

Eventually after writing letters with theorems, Ramanujan is accepted to Trinity College in Cambridge, England.  His professor, G.H. Hardy (played by Jeremy Irons)  guides him through the process of presenting theories academically. Unfortunately, Ramanujan faces discrimination in England. However, he is focused on uncovering proofs for his theories, and unaffected by the negative people.  The insults just make him stronger and more determined.

It is invigorating watching someone who has found his passion. It is even more pleasing when the person is willing to share and create something that will benefit others. THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY shows this, and individuals who watch the movie are likely inspired.

THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY is currently playing in theatres.

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba

Ernest Hemingway is one of the most influential writers from the 20th century. It is fitting that a movie would be made about him. The film is called PAPA: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA, and follows a journalist, played very well by Giovanni Ribisi, who is an admirer. Ribisi's character, Ed Myers, is inspired by Hemingway to become a great writer.

After several years of working as a journalist, Myers writes Hemingway a letter, telling him what a big impression he made on a young man. Myers is surprised when Hemingway (an excellent portrayal by Adrian Sparks) responds via a telephone call. Hemingway invites Myers to visit him in Cuba; the two men develop a friendship.

Denne Bart Petitclerc, the real life 'Ed Myers,' is the screenwriter of PAPA: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA. He is someone who had a true friendship with Hemingway, being invited into his home and also befriending Hemingway's wife Mary.  Mary is played by the outstanding actress Joely Richardson. Watching Hemingway and Mary's relationship is intriguing, as they were authentic individuals.

This movie is for people who are curious about Ernest Hemingway's life. Certainly he has inspired many writers, and Petitclerc's screenplay includes writing tips and wisdom Hemingway shared with him. In addition, readers' of Hemingway's books and short stories will be interested to find out about how circumstances were for him privately, behind the scenes.

Mariel Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's granddaughter, makes an appearance in the film, which takes place in Havana, and was shot on location at Hemingway's home. It is the first American movie to be made in Cuba since 1959.  PAPA: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA is currently playing in theatres.