Dangerous Minds

To Sir, With Love got a nineties update, with Michelle Pfeiffer in a leather jacket and specs replacing Sidney Poitier as the teacher inspiring inner-city kids to stop shooting each other and learn poetry by the two Dylans (D Thomas and Bob D, geddit?).
A surprise hit – aside from Pfeiffer, the cast is made up of a group of unknown actors and school kids – this had audiences lining up not only to see Michelle getting down and dirty as the ex-marine, but also because of the bestselling soundtrack, which includes tracks by Wendy & Lisa, and the hit ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ by Coolio. In fact, it often seems as if you’re watching a feature-length rap video as every inner-city Boyz n the Hood-style cliché is trotted out over the music while our Michelle tries to solve problems like gang-involvement and teenage pregnancy (warning to parents – do expect some violence and very frank language). It says something about her talents as an actress that she actually makes this rather preachy and formulaic film watchable, but even she can’t stop you from wincing at the Hollywood feel-good ending.