The Life of David Gale (2003)

I'm not ashamed to admit...I have a huge crush on Kevin Spacey. I loved him in The Usual Suspects, The Shipping News, and L.A. Confidential. But it wasn't until recently that I had the pleasure of seeing him in The Life of David Gale (2003), where he plays the lead role. It is not his most recent portrayal of a college professor, but we'll save the discussion of 21 (2008) - admittedly not his best movie - for another post...

Co-starring Laura Linney and Kate Winslet, David Gale is a professor from the University of Texas at Austin, and a well-known activist working to end the death penalty in the State of Texas. Linney plays Constance Harraway, a fellow academic/activist, who Gale is accused of murdering. Summoned by Gale to uncover the truth of the murder, Winslet plays an investigative reporter, Bitsey Bloom, and has only 4 days to prove his innocence before he is executed. Through a series of interviews with Gale, a bit of investigative journalism, and the well-timed discovery of new pieces of evidence, she begins to piece together just how Gale was involved in Harraway's death.

Bloom's assistant, played by Gabriel Mann, points out that Gale must be innocent simply because he is too intelligent to have committed a crime in such a clumsy manner. His claim is supported by the fact that Gale graduated at the top of his class at Harvard, and that he has two (yes, two!) books published. Gale's level of activism prior to his incarceration might be considered high-profile for the average academic. But through the support of his colleagues, particularly Harraway, he is portrayed as being able to balance his desire to overturn the use of capital punishment in Texas, as well as fulfill all of his professorial duties, including teaching. It is interesting to see how the role of the professor is viewed as multi-dimensional, and how his activism plays off his teaching, and vice versa.

As Gale's involvement in Harraway's death is revealed, and the scope of his actions and motivations are fully understood, the label of "genius" seems appropriate- not just in the sense of his intellectual capabilities- but in the sense of his crafty ability to manipulate the penal system to successfully overturn the death penalty policy, even at his own demise.

Watch the trailer here:

Lewis Black: On Education

Lewis Black's take on the state of education in America:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Back in Black - Education Crisis
http://www.thedailyshow.com/
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Remember the Titans (2000)

Remember the Titans, starting Denzel Washington, is based on the true story of Herman Boone, who, in 1971, became the first African American football coach at Virginia's T.C. Williams High School. The movie focuses on Boone's experiences as a head coach, and his attempt to integrate the team under difficult circumstances in a formerly segregated state. The power struggle between the white and African American communities is central to the movie, with whites seeing the black coach as a threat to their "way of life" and the black community viewing Boone as a symbol of what they can achieve.

Early in the movie, Julius, a white transfer student who "has no people," joins the football team and befriends a number of black players, resulting in his white classmates calling him a traitor. His aspirations of going to college are dim, stating that he is "not a braniac like Rev [a black player]". Julius not only befriend black players and students at school (and in doing so sees past "the other" that many of his white teammates see), but he also recognizes their academic abilities and talents. Although Julius lacks academic confidence, Boone begins monitoring his course progress every week, and works with him to improve his grades. By the end of the year, Julius' grades are high enough that he can attend college. Boone's outreach and mentoring to Julius represents one of the many ways in which athletic coaches can and should emphasize their students' academics, and encourage college-going.

Boone, along with Assistant Coach Bill Yoast (played by Will Patton), are integral in the team's progress toward integration. The role of the two coaches in helping the team integrate brings to mind Gordon Allport's foundational work "The Nature of Prejudice," published in the early 1950s. Allport outlines the four necessary conditions under which integration can be achieved:

1. The groups are desegregated
2. The group members have equal status
3. The groups are working toward a common goal
4. The groups have the full support of the authorities (i.e., adults, law, etc.)

Boone's policies with regard to the team reflect demand for respect and inclusion. For instance, during training camp, each team member is required to spend time with a teammate of a different race, until each person has met all of their teammates. Boone also insists on a no-cut policy, allowing all interested students--regardless of race--an opportunity to play football. While his role is integral in helping transform his team during camp, his insistence on respect and inclusion become even more important when they return home, where prejudices, biases, and discrimination are apparent. The reality of racism that exists in their community is apparent, even though they have begun to integrate as a team. For instance, when the players attempt to eat a restaurant in town, the owner refuses to serve the black players. Meanwhile, white residents throw a rock through a window in Boone's house, hoping to intimidate him and his family.

The team's record speaks for itself and by winning game after game, the team wins the town over. As a police officer says, the team has the best defense he has seen in 20 years. Not long after they prove themselves on the field, does the town begin to turn around and support them. They end the season undefeated (13-0), as state champions, and as runner-up to the national champion.

The friendships created on the field last long after the football season ends. Two of the players who become close friends, talk about their futures--living in the same neighborhood and growing old as friends--and imagine a different world--one that they have the power to create. In this one season, the coaches learned as much from the students as the students learned from them--much more than just the game of football but about each other, discrimination, acceptance, and tolerance. By extension, the communities surrounding them learned as well.

Today, the T.C. Williams High School student body is comprised of 43% African Americans, 7% Asian/Pacific Islanders, 27% Hispanic, and 21% white.

Watch the trailer here.

The Freshman (1990)

The Freshman (1990), starring Matthew Broderick as Clark Kellogg, portrays the extremes that college students may go to in an effort to ease the financial burden of going to college.

The trailer can be viewed here.

Originally from Vermont, Clark catches a train to New York City by himself, with only a few pieces of luggage and $600 given to him by his parents--a notable difference when compared to today's level of consumption and doting parents of some college students. Being slightly gullible and unfamiliar with the New York City, Clark agrees to a ride to campus, only to have all of his luggage stolen by the driver, played by Bruno Kirby.

Unsure where to turn for help, Clark solicits advise from his professor. The professor, who comes off as self-centered, arrogant, and pompous, insists that despite his unfortunate situation, Clark must purchase the required readings for the semester, including a textbook authored by the professor. The books are expected to cost him $700, which is expensive even by today's standards. After hearing Clark express his concerns about being able to pay for his textbooks, his professor says, "I'm your faculty advisor, not your case worker," showing complete disregard for Clark's financial struggles.

Ironically, Clark finds the man who stole his luggage from him, who in turn offers Clark a job that pays well ($1,000 a week) and has flexible hours. As he puts it, the job is "perfect for a college student," and Clark's money woes soon disappear. Not long after he begins his new job, Clark realizes he is working for the mob boss, Carmine Sabatini, played by Marlon Brando.

Between the odd-jobs Clark is asked to complete, he befriends Sabatini's daughter, Tina, played by Penelope Ann Miller. Tina explains to Clark that she will be attending Harvard next year, all due to a phone call her father made to the university. Her admission was in exchange for Sabatini helping to present the union workers from striking. Tina, by association with her father, also carries quite a bit of clout amongst New Yorkers. She exercises her own influence by telling Clark's professor that Clark is an "A" student, making it clear what grade he will receive for the course.

Although Clark attends classes at NYU, much of his education is delivered to him "on the streets" as opposed to in the classroom. Sabatini becomes a father figure and teacher to Clark, providing him with an education that he would never receive from a formal educational setting. Ironically, the main outcome of his freshman year comes in the form of street smarts, not book smarts, even though paying for college was his main motivation for accepting the job offer.

In the end, everything works out for Clark and the Sabatini Family. Clark is able to survive his freshman year and has enough money to pay for college. His job certainly distracted him from his studies, but with friends like Sabatini, Clark needed worry about a poor academic performance.

Alka Seltzer: Acceptance Letter

This blog originally intended to focus on the portrayal of education simply in television and movies, but more examples are coming to my attention of how education is portrayed through other mediums, including commercials.

A recent ad by Alka Seltzer, shows a father about to take a bite of a sandwich when his daughter runs into the kitchen announcing that she has been admitted to what she calls "one of the best schools in the country."

The scene is replayed, not showing what the daughter said, but what the father heard: "I got into one of the most expensive schools in the country!"

Watch the ad:



Alka Seltzer is offered as a way to relieve the heartburn and headache caused by this news. Instead of this being a joyous occasion, as it is for the daughter and mother, the father is stressed simply thinking about how he is going to pay for his daughter's higher education.

Two things to note here:

1. The "best" college is equated with the "most expensive" college. Unfortunately, there is some truth in this connection if the typical high-profile rankings are examined: the top rated colleges and universities in the country typically carry a hefty price tag. However, more students are attending two-year or less expensive four-year universities, and in doing so, are saving money on tuition.
2. The father expects to pay "full price." The majority of schools, even the most expensive ones, offer financial aid packages to enrolled students. The message embedded in the commercial implies that (the "best") universities do not offer financial aid and the father will be paying full price for his daughter to attend college. So...[COST = PRICE - AID]...is important for Dad to keep in mind, especially if he wants to reduce his stress level without Alka Seltzer.

Teen Movies

Turner Classic Movies is showing Teen Movies all night tonight. These each deserve further attention, and will hopefully be given their own post in due time, but for now, the movies are:

Better Off Dead (1985)

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Risky Business (1983)

Fame (1980)

Such a great 80s lineup!

The Paper Chase (1973)

The Paper Chase, a movie that centers on the lives of first-year Harvard Law students, is an entertaining piece about higher education. One of few films that focuses on law students, the movie provides insight into the stresses and pressures of law school, while at the same time painting a stereotypical portrait of law students and professors. The Paper Chase was later made into a TV series, staring John Houseman, and aired from 1978-1986. The trailer can be viewed here.

The Paper Chase provides an excellent reminder that graduate and professional programs are difficult. In my own graduate program, admitting that you were stressed out, overwhelmed, feeling underprepared, and doubting why you were pursuing your advanced degree were seen as signs of weakness. Such realities are often ignored- or worse- hidden from plain sight. The Paper Chase provides a realistic portrait of many of these same issues as faced by graduate students today. Cut-throat competition amongst peers, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of reading and work, comparing yourself to other students, doubting your ability, having breakdowns- all of these issues are portrayed in the movie. On one hand, the film provides a refreshing reminder that what students experience in graduate school today is normal, even if we do not admit or talk openly about it. On the other hand, I have to wonder if this portrayal contributes to stereotypes about law students- that law school is impossibly difficult and those who survive it are smarter than the average bear.

The only professor that appears in the movie is Charles W. Kingsfield, Jr., played by John Houseman. Kingsfield is a highly feared and respected professor, an expert in contract law, and is known for breaking down first-year students. The main character, Hart (played by Timothy Bottoms), throws up after being ripped to shreds in his first class with Kingsfield. His reputation precedes him, and a number of the students would give anything to impress him. He swears by the Socratic method, stating that the students "come here with a skull full of mush, and you leave thinking like a lawyer." Unlike some teachers and professors today, Kingsfield doesn't think twice before telling a student their answer is insufficient, or making an example out of them in class. As with the portrayal of the students, Kingfield's character can be seen as a refreshing take on professors, but also may contribute to the stereotype of how difficult law professors (and by extension, law school) can be.

Other topics that appear within the movie include the balance between family and graduate school, mental health wellness, and social networks via study groups. A number of differences between the early 1970s and now are humorous- law students living in dorms on campus, typewriters, the clothes, and definitely the hair. But also notable is the lack of women in the first-year class. Harvard began admitting women to law school in 1953, and appointed its first female dean, now Supreme Court-nominated Elena Kagan, in 2003. Today, nearly half of Harvard's law students are women.

Finally, the movie portrays higher education at a time when students were not viewed as paying customers to be satisfied by businesses (i.e., colleges). Students in the movie work hard to earn their grades, and they are feel entitled to As. There are no student support services shown in the movie, students respect the professor, and work hard to make an impression on him. The treatment of students as students, versus a tendency to view them as paying customers, is a significant shift, and offers the audience an opportunity to contemplate the condition of higher education today.