The Substitute (1996)

"The Substitute" (1996) is an action-thriller and cult classic directed by Robert Mandel and stars Tom Berenger and Ernie Hudson. By 1996, Hollywood established that films about white teachers coming to inner-city schools and turning things around were successful enough at the box office to continue to produce. For example, there was "The Principal" (1987), "Dangerous Minds" (1995), "Sunset Park" (1996), and "The Substitute." It was apparent enough that "High School High" was a spoof of those movies. Regardless, "The Substitute" stepped up the level and brought intense action to the inner-city high school theme. Additional cast members include William Forsythe, Marc Anthony, Glenn Plummer, Diane Venora, and Shar-Ron Corley. Inner-city high school-themed movies usually had primarily multicultural student populations. Mandel filmed "The Substitute" at Miami Sr. High School.

Director: Robert Mandel

Writers: Roy Frumkes, Rocco Simonelli, Alan Ormsby

Starring Tom Berenger, Ernie Hudson, Marc Anthony, Glenn Plummer, Diane Venora, Shar-Ron Corley, William Forsythe, Raymond Cruz, William Forsythe, Luis Guzmán, Richard Brooks, Vincent Laresca, Maurice Compte, Beau Weaver, Cliff De Young, Willis Sparks, Noelle Beck, Jody Wilson, Jim Warne, Ian Marioles, María Celedonio, David Spates, David Hayes, Peggy Pope, Rodney A. Grant

Storyline

Inner-city Miami schoolteacher Jane Hetzko (Diane Venora) gets her knee broken when she stands up to the gang leader, Juan Lacas (Marc Anthony). Her boyfriend, mercenary combat specialist Jonathan Shale (Tom Berenger), goes undercover as a substitute teacher to take down the gang but soon discovers that Lacas is merely an underling for the actual criminal mastermind.