One Eight Seven Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A teacher gets stabbed, moves to LA, and then things get… stabby again, but this time with a side of existential dread and Russian Roulette.

🍿 One Eight Seven: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Stabbing in New York

Trevor Garfield, a dedicated high school teacher in Brooklyn, is threatened by a student, Dennis Broadway, after giving him a failing grade. The school administration dismisses the threats, leading to Dennis stabbing Garfield multiple times in the hallway. This act of violence leaves Garfield severely wounded and traumatized.

Relocation to Los Angeles

Fifteen months after the stabbing, Garfield relocates to Los Angeles to work as a substitute teacher at John Quincy Adams High School in the San Fernando Valley. He encounters another unruly class, this time dominated by a Chicano tag crew called ‘Kappin’ Off Suckers’ (K.O.S.), led by Benny Chacon. Garfield faces the same challenges of disrespect and violence.

Escalating Conflict

The tension rises as fellow teacher Ellen Henry reveals that Benny threatened her life. Garfield and Ellen form a bond, but Garfield’s PTSD and ongoing conflicts with K.O.S. hinder their relationship. The conflict escalates when Ellen’s dog is killed, and Cesar, Benny’s partner, is found with a severed finger with the words ‘R U DUN’ tattooed on it, hinting at Garfield’s descent into vigilantism.

Garfield’s Descent

Benny is found dead of an apparent drug overdose, further suggesting Garfield’s involvement in vigilante justice. As Garfield takes justice into his own hands, he plays by the rules of the street in a desperate contest with Cesar and the K.O.S., which leads to further violence and a tragic end.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Trevor Garfield (Samuel L. Jackson): A dedicated teacher haunted by past trauma who resorts to extreme measures when faced with unruly students and a failing system.
• Cesar Sanchez (Clifton Collins Jr.): An unstable and aggressive gang member who becomes Garfield’s primary antagonist.
• Ellen Henry (Kelly Rowan): A fellow teacher and Garfield’s colleague and romantic interest, who struggles with the violence surrounding her.
• Dave Childress (John Heard): A corrupt and jaded history teacher who represents the worst aspects of the failing school system.
• Rita Martinez (Karina Arroyave): A struggling student tutored by Garfield, who is trying to escape her difficult circumstances.
• Benny Chacon (Lobo Sebastian): The menacing leader of the K.O.S. gang who instigates much of the conflict with Garfield.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Trevor Garfield: “Your whole way of life is bullshit! Macho is bullshit!” – Said to Cesar during the final confrontation, challenging his gang mentality and lifestyle.
• Trevor Garfield: “R U DUN?” – A taunt left on Cesar after Garfield takes a violent action. It becomes a question of Garfield’s breaking point.
• Dave Childress: “This ain’t a job, Garfield, it’s a life sentence.” – Childress’s cynicism reflects the burnout and despair some teachers feel in the face of overwhelming challenges.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,727,130
• Worldwide Gross: $5,727,130

💥 One Eight Seven Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘One Eight Seven’ messed me up. Samuel L. Jackson’s performance is intense; you can feel his frustration and fear. That scene where the student stabs him in the beginning? Brutal. The whole vibe of the school in LA is just oppressive. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, wondering if anything good would happen. The ending left me stunned and sad, but it felt… real. I was definitely moved.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Samuel L. Jackson”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate gritty, realistic portrayals of urban issues”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Profanity”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Brief Nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “While Samuel L. Jackson delivers a powerful performance, ‘One Eight Seven’ ultimately falters in its second half, descending into predictable and unsatisfying territory. The film raises important questions about violence in schools, but its resolution feels rushed and unearned.
• James Berardinelli: “‘One Eight Seven’ starts strong, exploring the challenges faced by teachers in inner-city schools. However, it loses its way as it embraces thriller elements. Despite Samuel L. Jackson’s compelling portrayal, the film’s ending is ultimately disappointing and fails to provide meaningful closure.
• Owen Gleiberman: “A dark and gritty look at the realities of teaching in a tough school. It’s a thriller that doesn’t shy away from violence, both physical and emotional. The atmosphere is palpable.

Audience Reactions

The movie accurately portrays the helplessness some teachers feel in chaotic environments.: Viewers praised Samuel L. Jackson’s performance and the movie’s willingness to tackle difficult and realistic issues.

The ending caught me off guard, and left me thinking about the movie for days.: Some praise how how Jackson takes matters into his own hands and creates a unique movie.

Overall Consensus: A bleak and disturbing look at violence in schools, carried by a strong performance from Samuel L. Jackson, but ultimately divisive due to its dark themes and controversial ending.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was written by Scott Yagemann, a former high school substitute teacher in Los Angeles, who claimed that 90% of the film’s material is based on real-life incidents he experienced or heard about from other teachers.”
• “Director Kevin Reynolds also directed ‘Waterworld’. ‘One Eight Seven’ was seen as a return to form after the critical and commercial failure of ‘Waterworld’.”
• “The film’s title, ‘One Eight Seven’, is a reference to the California Penal Code section for homicide, commonly used as slang in gang culture.”
• “The ending scene, featuring Russian roulette, is a direct homage to the film ‘The Deer Hunter’.”

🖥️ How to Watch One Eight Seven?

As of October 2024, ‘One Eight Seven’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed One Eight Seven, you might like these similar films:

• Dangerous Minds (1995): Another film dealing with a teacher entering a tough, inner-city school to try and make a difference.
• The Substitute (1996): Another film about a teacher who is trying to reach students, and ends up going too far with his tactics.
• Stand and Deliver (1988): A teacher inspiring his students to achieve beyond expectations in a challenging environment.
• American History X (1998): Explores similar themes of violence, race, and redemption in a high school setting, although from a student’s perspective.

🛒 One Eight Seven Related Products

• Samuel L. Jackson – Pulp Fiction Limited Edition Figure: A must-have for any Samuel L. Jackson fan, capturing his iconic role as Jules Winnfield from ‘Pulp Fiction’, featuring detailed articulation and accessories.
• The Wire: The Complete Series (DVD): Critically acclaimed HBO series that explores the complexities of urban life, law enforcement, and the drug trade, providing a thought-provoking and realistic portrayal of similar themes.
• Bad Boys Movie Poster: This poster will remind you of the early acting days of Samuel L. Jackson
• Stand and Deliver: A movie from the late 80s, sharing the same educational theme as 187. Based on a true story about teacher Jaime Escalante’s success with his high school students in calculus.

🎧 Soundtrack

One Eight Seven features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Slack Hands” – performed by Galliano
• “Mezzanine” – performed by Massive Attack
• “I Know Something You Don’t Know” – performed by DJ Shadow

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Samuel L Jackson Fights Cholos In “187”!

Ever wondered if Samuel L. Jackson could take on a whole crew of cholos? This review breaks down his performance in ‘187’ and it’s pretty hilarious and insightful at the same time. You gotta see this!

Why You Should Watch 187

Thinking about checking out ‘187’? This video gives you all the reasons why it’s worth your time, especially if you’re into school movies with a dark edge. I was convinced to add it to my watchlist after watching this!

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