Hard Lessons Review

MPAA Rating: NR
Released: 1986

Hard Lessons was originally run on CBS in 1986, but the star power of Denzel Washington as George McKenna, a principal determined to turn around one of Los Angeles' most notorious schools, helps this film rise above average made-for-TV faire. Thanks to its release on DVD, those who missed its original airing can now enjoy this worthy movie that takes a more soulful and less sensationalist approach to the subject than films such as The Principal or Lean On Me.

It's pretty uncommon for made-for-television movies to be released on DVD, particularly ones made all the way back in the 80's. In order for such a release to be warranted, a film has to be either extremely popular and/or influential (i.e., V: The Original Mini-Series), or it has to possess that special something that sets it apart. Though the popularity of Hard Lessons' main star, Denzel Washington, surely didn't hurt its chances for a DVD release, ultimately the movie had enough heart to rise above most of its peers and earn such distribution nearly 20 years later.

The movie takes place in George Washington High School, an L.A. school that is virtually controlled by gangs and drug pushers. Teachers are jaded and care little about education; students are disrespectful and violent; and any gifted teenagers that actually want to learn refuse to attend that school out of fear for their well-being and education, opting instead to commute a long distance to neighboring schools.

George McKenna (Denzel Washington) is a new principal determined to convert the school from a student's nightmare to a place of higher learning where people will line up to join, rather than to leave. Such a task is not easy, for not only must McKenna deal with some defiant students, parents and faculty, the stress of the job is placing harm on his relationship with his girlfriend Bobbie (Lynn Whitfield).

Hard Lessons is based on a true story, but unlike Lean On Me (also based loosely on a true story) you won't see McKenna behave in a manner that no principal would truly have gotten away with in real life. He doesn't raise his hand to any student, nor does he scream like a banshee or walk around with a baseball bat. Instead he uses reason, community involvement and tries to instill a sense of pride in students.

I'm the first to admit I thoroughly enjoy films like The Principal where a hard-edged fellow enters a war zone determined to kick butt and take names; such movies are escapist enjoyment where we can sit back and watch the dregs of society get what they deserve. But they can only be taken for what they are: pure 100% entertainment, with not a shred of reality.

Hard Lessons on the other hand is a clean cut drama suitable for the entire family, and perfect for those evenings when you're not in the mood for sensationalist violence, situations or language. Both have their place in my movie collection.

Since Hard Lessons is a made-for-television film, it doesn't possess that Hollywood or gritty feel to it. In fact were it not for Denzel Washington's captivating and sincere performance, one could even argue the movie might feel a little too sanitized given its subject matter. We get the idea the gang members are troublesome in this movie, but we know that what we see isn't the half of what they are truly like. But really, such argument is meaningless, because the fact is Denzel does successfully raise this film's quality above typical television standards due to his participation.

If you missed Hard Lessons during its original airing on CBS and enjoy "principal tackles tough school" movies, it's definitely worth giving this satisfying one a try.

Movie rating: 7 stars

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Denzel Washington
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