With Honors Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Harvard student loses his thesis, gets blackmailed by a charismatic homeless guy, learns the true meaning of life, and loses his honors but gains lifelong friends, all because of a rogue donut.

🍿 With Honors: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Thesis Crisis

Monty Kessler, a Harvard senior, is on track to graduate with honors with his conservative thesis, which Professor Pitkannan supports. Disaster strikes when his computer crashes, leaving him with only one printed copy. While rushing to make copies, he loses the thesis down a grate into the Widener Library’s boiler room.

A Bargain is Struck

In the boiler room, Monty discovers Simon Wilder, a homeless man, using his thesis pages to start a fire. Desperate, Monty agrees to Simon’s blackmail: one page of the thesis in exchange for one favor, starting with a glazed donut and clean underwear. This unlikely arrangement sets the stage for a series of events that challenge Monty’s values and worldview.

Simon Moves In

As the arrangement continues, Simon’s presence disrupts the lives of Monty and his roommates: Courtney, Everett, and Jeff. Initially, the roommates are divided, with Jeff expressing discomfort and others becoming more accepting of Simon. Simon’s unconventional wisdom and unique perspective begin to influence the group, leading to comedic and heartwarming moments.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Simon (Joe Pesci): A witty and philosophical homeless man who challenges Monty’s worldview by holding his thesis hostage.
• Monty (Brendan Fraser): An ambitious Harvard student whose life is turned upside down when his thesis falls into the hands of a homeless man.
• Courtney (Moira Kelly): Monty’s roommate and love interest, who displays compassion and challenges Monty’s cold-heartedness.
• Everett (Patrick Dempsey): Monty’s wealthy and eccentric roommate who hosts a radio show and befriends Simon.
• Jeff (Josh Hamilton): Monty’s uptight and pre-med roommate who is initially resistant to Simon’s presence.
• Pitkannan (Gore Vidal): Monty’s conservative thesis advisor whose political views initially influence Monty’s work.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Simon: “What did you see when you looked at me, Harvard? You didn’t see a human being, you saw a piece of shit!” – Simon confronts Monty about his initial prejudice and lack of empathy.
• Simon: “The beauty of the Constitution is that it makes no set law other than faith in the wisdom of ordinary people to govern themselves.” – Simon defends the Constitution against Professor Pitkannan’s criticism in class.
• Simon: “Winners forget they’re in a race, they just love to run.” – Simon explains to Monty that he’s a quitter, not a loser, and is trying too hard.
• Simon: “Don’t let Courtney become a regret.” – Simon encourages Monty to pursue his feelings for Courtney at the pajama party.
• Simon (Obituary): “He is survived by his family: Jeff Hawks, who always remembers to flush; Everett Calloway, who knows how to use words; Courtney Blumenthal, who is strong, and also knows how to love; and by Montgomery Kessler, who will graduate life with honor, and without regret.” – Monty reads Simon’s self-written obituary, listing his chosen family.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $22,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,016,254
• Worldwide Gross: $20,016,254

💥 With Honors Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching “With Honors” as a teen and being really touched by it. Joe Pesci’s character, Simon, felt so real and brought a unique perspective. The part where Monty reads Simon’s self-written obituary always gets to me – it’s just so heartfelt. Though now I see some cheesy moments and predictable plot points, it is a great movie that helps you realize what is important in life. I appreciated the focus on looking deeper than stereotypes to see the person within.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of feel-good dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about unlikely friendships”
  • “People who like movies set in college environments”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Depiction of homelessness”
  • “Illness and death”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While well-intentioned, With Honors suffers from a predictable plot and a heavy-handed approach to its themes. Pesci delivers a surprisingly restrained performance, but the film ultimately fails to rise above its formulaic trappings.
• Entertainment Weekly: “With Honors is a decent, if somewhat saccharine, feel-good movie. Joe Pesci is an unlikely sage, and while he brings a certain charm to the role, the film’s message feels overly simplistic. It’s a pleasant enough watch, but don’t expect any profound insights.
• Variety: “This film tries to balance humor and heartfelt drama, but the mix feels uneven. While the performances are generally solid, the script relies on predictable character arcs and a contrived plot. Worth a watch for Pesci’s performance, but don’t expect a masterpiece.

Audience Reactions

Joe Pesci’s surprisingly heartwarming performance as the homeless intellectual.: The film is often praised for its ability to balance humor and emotional depth, with viewers noting its poignant message about friendship and challenging preconceived notions.

The strong chemistry between Brendan Fraser and Joe Pesci made the movie enjoyable.: Viewers highlighted their strong connection, and the film’s focus on personal growth.

Overall Consensus: A sentimental dramedy that relies on familiar tropes but is elevated by solid performances, particularly Joe Pesci’s. While some find it predictable, others appreciate its heartwarming message.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Claudia Haro, who plays Marty, the girl who asks Simon to dance at the party, was married to Joe Pesci at the time.”
• “The Warner Bros. Pictures logo is plastered in the digital releases with the 2003 logo.”
• “Alek Keshishian, the director, was also a Harvard graduate.”

🖥️ How to Watch With Honors?

As of [Current Date], ‘With Honors’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable or streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed With Honors, you might like these similar films:

• Good Will Hunting (1997): Features a working-class individual with unexpected intelligence who is mentored by academics.
• Dead Poets Society (1989): Explores the transformative influence of a charismatic figure on students challenging conventional thinking.
• Scent of a Woman (1992): A student’s life intertwines with an older, unconventional man, both impacting each other’s perspectives.
• School Ties (1992): Set in a prestigious academic environment, explores themes of social injustice and personal integrity.
• Forrest Gump (1994): Shares a theme of unexpected wisdom from an unlikely source influencing the lives of others.

🛒 With Honors Related Products

• Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass: The classic collection of poetry referenced throughout the movie, delving into themes of individualism, democracy, and the human experience.
• Harvard University T-Shirt: Show your Ivy League pride with an official Harvard University T-shirt. Features the Harvard logo and classic design.
• Joe Pesci Film Collection [Blu-ray]: A collection of Joe Pesci’s memorable performances, including ‘Goodfellas’, ‘Casino’, and ‘My Cousin Vinny’
• Madonna: I’ll Remember [Digital Download]: Download the original song from the movie and re-live the moving scenes. The song perfectly complements the emotional resonance of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “I’ll Remember” – performed by Madonna
• “She Sells Sanctuary” – performed by The Cult

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What is the Constitution?

Ever wonder what the Constitution really means? This clip from ‘With Honors’ will give you a fresh perspective on it through a short conversation. It’s surprisingly insightful!

The Funeral (With Honors)

Get ready for some feels. Simon’s eulogy, delivered by Monty, is one of the most heartfelt moments in ‘With Honors’. Grab your tissues, you might need them!

BEST SCENE from With Honors – Simon’s Homeless Friend Delivers a Message to Monty

This is arguably the best scene in the movie – trust me! Witness the power of friendship as Simon, the homeless friend, delivers a meaningful message to Monty using Walt Whitman’s poem. You won’t regret watching!

✨ Rate