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The Principal

5.3

3,873

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Original title

The Principal

Year

1987

Running time

110 min.

Country

United States

Director

Christopher Cain

Screenwriter

Frank Deese

Cast

Music

Jay Gruska

Cinematography

Arthur Albert

Producer

TriStar Pictures, Dorica Film

Genre

Action. Drama | Schools & University. Education

Synopsis

An impulsive but determined white principal brings order and respect to a predominantly African-American and Latino high school in this comedy-drama from the director of Young Guns. Rick Latimer (James Belushi), a high-school teacher, is in the process of a divorce when he sees his estranged wife at a bar having drinks with her attorney. Drunk and enraged, he smashes the guy's car up and receives a reprimand from the school board -- a new job as principal at rough-and-tumble Brandel High. Security guard Jake Phillips (Louis Gossett Jr.) is soon teaching his new boss the ropes, but Rick isn't willing to accept the violent and drug-ridden status quo. With a two-word motto -- "No More!" -- he sets about cleaning out the riff-raff, also taking time out to tutor students and get to know Jake. But when chief thug Victor (Michael Wright) refuses to back down, the violence escalates. Eventually, Victor's vengeance threatens the lives of steely history teacher Hilary Orozco (Rae Dawn Chong) -- and Rick himself... (Brian J. Dillard: All Movie Guide)

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Critics' reviews

"It's basically an anger film, a catharsis for problems we haven't learned to solve. As that, it does its job well, with humor and surprising grace"

Johanna Steinmetz: Chicago Tribune
"It degenerates into one more cliche-ridden revenge movie"

Michael Wilmington: Los Angeles Times
"It degenerates into one more cliche-ridden revenge movie"

Michael Wilmington: Los Angeles Times
"Plain and simple -- this is a racist movie."

Hal Hinson: The Washington Post
"It aspires to be a gritty look at a troubled inner-city school, but despite all its tough talk and its seething students, it's a cornball fantasy."

Hal Boedeker: Miami Herald

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