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School Daze | Year: 1988 Directed: - Spike Lee Actors/Actresses: - Laurence Fishburne - Giancarlo Esposito A Tough Pill to Swallow As an African American, fraternity member I found this movie not only entertaining, but also convicting. Being a man of Omega (those familiar with the Black Greek system know what I mean) I was a little offended by Gamma Phi Gamma's dipiction of the "dogs." More often than once I felt he was referring to the "dogs of Purple and Gold." Yet, once I got beyond my petty sensitivities, Lee's underlying critique of the social ills plaguing the African American community revolving around issues of social consciousness, skin color, hair texture, education, etc., made this movie provocative and challenging. Also, it's depiction of homecoming, pledging, parties and general "college life" made for an entertaining walk down memory lane. I found his attempt at making this a musical production to be somewhat forced, although the lyrics of the songs were pointedly appropriate. I may not completely agree with Lee's conclusion concerning the advantages (or disadvantages) of participating in the Black Greek System. However, I appreciate his candid attempt to "tell it like it is." My mother used to say, "Don't air the dirty laundry in public." This is exactly what Lee has done, and unfortunately it is about time. New DVD Edition Sparkles When I first saw this movie, like most people, I couldn't really appreciate it. Years later, after my college days had swiftly passed, I recognize the movie's true genius. The new DVD edition is a must (make sure you're buying the right edition on Amazon), because it includes Spike Lee's commentary throughout the movie. Watching the movie with the commentary makes for a fascinating journey into filmmaking. Without spoiling it too much, Mr. Lee discusses everything from his contentious relations with the Morehouse administration to the relationships between cast and crew members. One insight he offered stuck with me. He said that he housed the crew members of the competing factions in separate hotels (the jigaboos got the worst hotel), so that they could stay true to their roles and to foster role competition. Apparently, it worked a little too well. I'll let you buy the DVD to find out why. In short, School Daze is a picture into a life that the large majority of us, of all backgrounds, will never get to experience directly. Its value is to take unfamiliar observers into one facet of the African-American experience and to do so with remarkable realism and insight. One of Lee's Best I once heard on a TV talk show that you don't have to be a parent to know about kids. This was uttered by a single female with tons of doctorate credentials. As I listened, having kids of my own, I found her comments clinical and devoid of those fundamentals any parent experiences during daily contact with their offspring. I subsequently disregarded most of her observations with the exception of the obvious. Some things do have to be experienced. With that said, Spike Lee's School Daze had to be experienced to really appreciate the social comments being made. Being a graduate of Howard University (an Afro-American college since federal inception) in Washington, D.C., I could readily identify with the life and social levels depicted. This movie is FUBU (For Us By Us). The distinction between light skinned and dark skinned, "good hair" and "kinks", "Greeked" (Fraternity/Sorority) and outsiders, upper-class, middle-class and no-class, may be lost in an already segmented society. However, it hits home to anyone (irregardless of ethnic background) who has attended historically rooted colleges and universiies. The voluntary (and involuntary!) sub-segmentation on campus is real and extant. Spike Lee's direction, musical scenes and comedic comment, gives us a laugh at these really stupid concepts. Laurence Fishburne as usual gives an excellent performance as a politically aware student, trying to change a system that cannot be changed, and personally changing because of it. Spike Lee plays his usual "Baby, baby, pleaseee baby, baby" self-depreciating character caught-up in fraternity life but willing to play for the perceived rewards of acceptance. Giancarlo Esposito is the fraternity leader and movie antagonist bent maintaining class/segment separation. Tisha Campbell (Martin - TV show co-star) plays Esposito's "girlfriend" and gives an excellent performance as a "have" who is victimized by her own would-be ascension and maintenance of same. This movie demonstrates our society's nature for congregation by segregation as we matriculate through a "Black" college and the surrounding urban community. View this movie with an inquisitive mind and you'll find it a very entertaining movie. View it with a similar background and it will haunt you. On a lighter note, of all the musical numbers one of my favorite scenes is the talent show when Tisha Campbell belts out a soul-stirring song so strong I want to "play" (read blast) it every summer when the weather is hot, the windows are rolled-down and the world is out. Buy School Daze at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on School Daze Search with the Priority Search Engine on School Daze This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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