Dangerous Minds Details

With an entire romantic subplot involving Andy Garcia ending up on the cutting-room floor, this schoolroom drama may have gained a singularity of purpose, but it definitely lost a much-needed release from the intensity of the classroom crusade. Never quite convincing as either an ex-marine or a teacher, Michelle Pfeiffer nevertheless turns in a solid performance as she tries to give her deprived students a chance in life. Screenwriter Ronald Bass pushes his luck linking Bob Dylan and Dylan Thomas, and the results-by-reward policy will have many teachers up in arms. Still, what can you do when the story is true?

Despite its basis in fact, this comes across as bland and unbelievable wish-fulfilment, just another feel-good fantasy about tough, restive delinquents being tamed by poetry.