Hard Lessons (1986)

Denzel, the man

This movie was pretty good. It was done in the usual Denzel fashion, SMOOTH, SUAVE AND DEBONAIR. My only complaint is that the movie was too short. It ran about 1 1/2 hour. That is not enough Denzel. May 14, 2008

Harder Lessons

A lot of Denzel's early movies fall a little short, but because I am a lifelong fan and am in the process of collecting all of his movies (good or bad), I will have to recommend this movie. Honestly, it falls short of his later, greater stuff: it's dull, slow. But a must-have if you are collecting. November 12, 2007

hard lessons

VERY GOOD FILM.IT IS A GOD FILM TO WATCH FOR ANYONE, BUT A BRILLIANT FILM TO WATCH IF YOU LIKE TRUE STORIES. May 12, 2007

Generations of Generals

I am one of many family members who in fact attended George Washington High School, now George Washington Preparatory High School. After reading the previous reviews of others, I can make this statement. You have to live an event to really appreciate art imitating life.
For most movie makers it can be difficult at best to recreate a story such as this about a person who took on odds, doubt & obstacles to give African American & Latino students a better shot at life, through eduaction.
Personally, I loved this movie. I first saw it during my Sophomore year in high school. I was on hiatus my fall semester attending another school, and was upset that I couldn't be back home. However, I was filled with pride knowing that my principal, & school's history was becoming a part of Americana. So to some this may have been a cheezy attempt. To me this made for TV film will go down in history that preceeded Lean On Me, Stand and Deliver an others, but all will chronical the struggles and triumphs that a few will self inflict to take on the inequalities our nation perpetuates on it's inner city youth. May 15, 2006

Worst than bad

Being a teacher and Denzel Washington fan, I thought I might find some enjoyment and inspiration from a film purporting to illustrate the difficulties and solutions of the inner city high school experience. I experienced neither. Only frustration penetrated my senses as I wasted a couple of hours watching this film (after wasting ten bucks buying it)!

The story line might have worked, though I doubt it, if a few obvious needs had been mandated in the production and direction, like proper casting and a believable script. Worst of these offenses was the casting, as all of the "high school" students were at least twenty-five, and most older. Talk about suspension of disbelief! The same cast would have worked were they cast as the parents of the students! At times Denzel looked younger than the student he was mentoring. Indeed, it was preposterous.

I'm sure Mr. Washington looks upon this film as nothing more than a poor experience on the way to excellence, one of those setbacks we learn from to help us find our way.

Don't waste your time or money. December 24, 2005

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