What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this film deals with mature themes and language. Gangs that threaten violence, and a chain-wielding teacher pursues three kids through the school. There's a lot of macho bravado in and out of the classroom. Parents undermine their kids' academic dreams, and a teacher refuses to believe her underprivileged students are capable of excellence.
- Families can talk about the advantages and limitations of using movies to dramatize the real life events. Can movies tell the story in ways that other media, such as books or radio, can't? Where do they fall short? How much of a story can one tell in the timespan of the typical movie? Who decides what's left out or what's emphasized?