Thinking back to high school after watching this, I realized how manipulated students could be to think that their school was better than all the rival schools put together, and that they owed the class officers, teachers and school administration so much more than just to pay attention, get good grades and in the case of this all boy's school make sure that their tuition was paid and participate in every fundraiser that came up. This film is memorable for showing in a mostly dramatic structure what happens when certain elements of a class refuse to participate and how they are shunned, abused and ridiculed, that is until they fight back.
In the 80's, there were "Ridgemont High" style teen movies and more serious ones like "Heaven Help Us", and this falls into the category of the later, having light-hearted moments, but more serious themes and elements that make the viewer think rather than wonder when the next sexual innuendo joke will be dropped. A good cast of mostly unknown actors flesh out the story, with a top notch John Glover a cheery but phony administrator, showing irony in how passive-aggressive manipulation egrh manipulates the manipulator to think they are absolutely in the right. A smart screenplay and detailed, steady direction are a plus. Definitely worth a view as a well made art house film that made me grateful that those days are long gone.
In the 80's, there were "Ridgemont High" style teen movies and more serious ones like "Heaven Help Us", and this falls into the category of the later, having light-hearted moments, but more serious themes and elements that make the viewer think rather than wonder when the next sexual innuendo joke will be dropped. A good cast of mostly unknown actors flesh out the story, with a top notch John Glover a cheery but phony administrator, showing irony in how passive-aggressive manipulation egrh manipulates the manipulator to think they are absolutely in the right. A smart screenplay and detailed, steady direction are a plus. Definitely worth a view as a well made art house film that made me grateful that those days are long gone.