Not entirely successful (certainly not on the level of Boysz n the Hood), and some of the characters are two-dimensional, but it does address some interesting and sadly all-too prevalent, topics including racism, white supremacy, the distrust between racial groups, and rape culture.
I bring it up in response to the sad news of John Singleton's death at the mere age of 51.
I saw it before I went to college myself and then i had a chance to see it again just now.
Some thoughts
Even in 1995 the professor's office has no computer in it? I noticed this during several of their meetings? Wow. So, he handwrites all of his papers? He's not that old. He should already know what a computer is. I entered in 1997 and yes, my professors had computers in their offices by then. And they also required that I use a computer to write my papers.
Nothing about college students with disability/disability issues--even though the ADA was passed in 1990 and also covered college campuses including private non-religious campuses. Yes this film is 'multicultural' but it does not directly talk about disability. I was still in high school in 1995 so I just "kinda sorta" assumed 'other' people would take care of this by default at college. I did not realize why disability access and accommodation also needed to specifically be highlighted. And what a big and outdated gap the lack of talking about it left throughout the screenplay. Singleton really goofed here. He forgot he was making a film set in in 1995 v 1985, 1975 or 1965.
If we 'really' wanted to, i supposed we 'could' claim that both Malik's repeated academic and Remy's repeated mental/emotional difficulties are learning and/or emotional disabilities. However, neither student does goes to the campus disability office which is supposed to now be up and running to obtain disability support services so they do pass their classes and graduate. Neither has to attend religious services so we can safely assume the ADA would cover this campus.
Both guys instead seek 'outside' support from their 'own kind' with various results vs trusting 'the system'. Mailk gradually ends up learning how to effectively be a successful college student, while Remy ends up brainwashed, and bloodying others across campus, and destroying his roommate's property in a rampage of anger. Apparently, he is not college material. He also is oddly never expelled or arrested, for that incident.
The film was apparently made before Swanson became a right-wing wacko. I can't imagine her today agreeing to star as an aspiring bi-curious campus feminist activist who ultimately helps organize a campus multicultural festival. She'd instead be holing up with the campus neo nazis as 'their girl' Sad but true. Still trying to figure out what made her snap. If they make an extended version with extras, will any interviews be included?
What is the purpose of Wayne in this film---other than to make Kristen challenge her assumptions about feminists and provide eye candy? He's a good ally, doesn't say much after asking to join the feminist group. But then again why have him? Singleton never knew how to use him. Might as well have cut him out of the script entirely. He does bear a striking resemblance to the Eddie Vedder my pre-college gym classmate swore she was going to run off to Seattle and marry lol.
With a little more work and fine tuning/recasting I am sure this movie could have become a tv show.