Main Issues in the Films Dangerous Minds and Training Day

Student’s Name
Lecturer’s Name
Unit
Due Date
Dangerous Minds (1995)
Dangerous Minds is a 1995 American drama film directed by John Smith and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer (Jeong 46). The film tells the story of LouAnne, an ex-marine turned teacher struggling to connect with her students in an inner-city school. Louanne Johnson, popularly known as Mrs. Johnson, quit her nine-year marine career to focus on his passion: teaching English (Jeong 47). She moves to an inner city and applies for a job at the inner city school. She gets the job immediately and is posted at the inner city school, where she encounters a hostile class to handle. The students in her class neither see the value of education nor show any interest in learning. They have been taught to trust no one and accept failure. Initially, she receives a terrible reception from the unruly students. Determined to motivate the students and give them the opportunity to succeed in life, the enthusiastic Mrs.
Johnson sets up to educate the students using every possible means, including unconventional teaching methods like karate and Bob Dylan lyrics to gain their trust (Jeong 47). She also bribes and manipulates the students to get them to learn. Mrs Johnson defies the rules and creates her own curriculum, although frustrated because her students have accepted they are worthless. However, Mrs Johnson is convinced that the students have a brighter future. They have standardized test grades from average to excellent (Jeong 47). Mrs. Johnson's determination to help the students, demonstrated through the unconventional teaching methods, attracts students who begin to trust her, making it easier for the teacher to educate them. As the movie continues, students embrace education and are willing to face the future. The film is based on a true story.
The main issue in this film is helping disadvantaged students. Dangerous Minds is primarily an anti-status quo like many heroic teacher films. The movie represents teachers as lone soldiers in a battle against bureaucrats and administrators to reach unruly students and make changes. Throughout the film, the principle and the vice principal of the inner-city school appear to be conservative and out of touch. The principal establishes and implements the teaching rules but always remains inside his office. He also has no contact with the learners and their troubled lives. In a particular scene, Mrs. Johnson desperately looks for Emilio, but the principal is more concerned with the student's conduct than the real threats faced by Emilio.
The movie also supports unorthodox methods of teaching. Initially, Johnson tried to use discussion, traditional lecturing, and disciplinary approaches but failed (Jeong 48). What ultimately wins the students over are promises of fancy diners, carnivals, and candy, and Johnson's concern in their personal lives. For instance, she advises them on pregnancy issues, loans them money, invites them into her home, and visits their families. The success of these methods gives the impression that educators should explore new approaches, even radical ones, as long as they improve education. According to the film, education is critical in helping students become successful in life. ...