With a future A-list cast packed into this 1992 drama, School Ties stands out as one of the better “school movies” of the pre-Harry Potter era. But no, it’s not some magical boarding school fantasy. This is a grounded, emotionally charged story that tackles anti-Semitism, class division, and social pressure in an elite academic setting.
Brendan Fraser plays David Green, a working-class Jewish teenager who earns a football scholarship to an exclusive prep school in Massachusetts. Once there, he’s plunged into a world of privilege and quiet prejudice. His new teammates—products of the upper crust—harbor casual (and not-so-casual) anti-Semitic attitudes, forcing David to hide his identity just to fit in.
Enter Matt Damon (in full early-career villain mode) as Charlie Dillon, the entitled golden boy whom David replaces on the football field. Bitter over being sidelined—and later, losing his girlfriend to David—Dillon’s resentment festers until it boils over. The final act revolves around a cheating scandal, where Dillon manipulates the school’s honor system to try and take David down.
The plot is well-crafted as a classic redemption arc. There are moments where you truly feel for David—moments when you just want to deck Dillon yourself. And yes, that’s Chris O’Donnell, Ben Affleck, and Anthony Rapp in supporting roles. This cast is a who’s-who of future Hollywood stars, though most are still finding their feet here.
Tonally, School Ties tries to straddle multiple genres: part Dead Poets Society, part Scent of a Woman, part With Honors, with a dash of sports drama thrown in. But the result feels a bit uneven. It’s a solid film with strong performances and a clear moral center, but doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of the films it emulates.
Still, for what it is—and the conversations it dares to spark—School Ties earns its place. It’s a compelling reminder that courage isn’t just about winning games; it’s about standing up for who you are when it matters most.
Rating: 8.5/10
Director: Robert Mandel
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Chris O’Donnell, Randall Batinkoff, Cole Hauser, Andrew Lowery, Ben Affleck, Anthony Rapp, Amy Locane, and more
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