Higher Learning

Higher Learning follows three new students arriving at Columbus University: Malik Williams, a Black track athlete on a scholarship who assumes his running will carry him through college; Kristen Connor, a white student finding her way socially; and Remy, a young man from an unsettled background. Their first year brings them up against racism, money worries, questions of identity and sexuality, and the tensions running through campus life. Malik's outlook is challenged by Fudge, a longtime student who has spent years at the university and pushes him to think harder about race and politics in America. John Singleton wrote and directed the film, his third feature after Boyz n the Hood and Poetic Justice. Omar Epps, Kristy Swanson, Michael Rapaport, Jennifer Connelly and Ice Cube lead a credited cast of twenty-six. Made for about 20 million dollars, it took roughly 38 million worldwide. On IMDb it holds 6.5 out of 10 from around 23,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.3 from about 255. A critics' score of 5.3 from forty reviews sits below both audience ratings.