Foreign Student MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2

With a wistful "remember when" feel, this film recounts the life experiences of Philippe (Marco Hofschneider), a young Frenchman awarded a scholarship to a college in Virginia. He is instantly befriended by the countrified Cal (Rick Johnson), a typical college football jock who tries to play the part of a "Southern gentlemen" as well. Cal is horrified when he learns that naive Philippe is in love with an attractive, black elementary school teacher named April (Robin Givens). When he tries to warn him about the mutual hatred between whites and blacks, Philippe ignores him. In fact, "Frenchy" walks on thin ice when he searches for his girl in "the wrong part of town." Unfortunately, the plot disintegrates into romantic mishmash, instead of exploring the basic conflict about racial prejudice. The film tries to make a statement, but falls short of its goal with its ambiguity and confusing character portrayals.

FOREIGN STUDENT is a disappointment in more ways than one. Sadly, the characters lack morals, and don't appear to have any redeeming qualities. In a fit of raw passion, Philippe and April have sex in an empty barn with nothing left to the imagination. Also, April suspects that Philippe is two-timing her when she sees him hugging a blonde. He doesn't deny this, but fails to see anything wrong. Cal regularly drinks beer, spouts foul language, laughingly talks about prostitutes and indulges in racist remarks about black people. Even the seemingly upright English professor bribes a prison official to bail Philippe out of jail. At one point, Philippe invades a smoke-filled blues nightclub where blacks are dancing erotically. This film is a dramatic waste of film talent.

Preview Reviewer: Fran Smith
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures, 9247 Alden Dr., Beverly Hills, CA, 90210