Watch Renaissance Man

In the 1994 comedy-drama film, Renaissance Man, Danny DeVito plays down-on-his-luck advertising executive Bill Rago who, after losing his job, takes a gig teaching English to a group of Army recruits at a base in Michigan. The job initially seems like a punishment detail for the recruits, who are mostly made up of inner-city high school dropouts and troublemakers. But what Rago soon finds is that the recruits are eager to learn and are in need of guidance and support, something he's not quite sure he's equipped to handle.

As he tries to find a way to connect with his students, Rago starts to use unusual methods, relying on Shakespeare and other works of literature to help his students find their own voices and meaning in their lives. However, he faces an uphill battle as the recruits are initially not receptive to his unconventional teaching style.

Along the way, he makes a few unlikely friends, including the drill sergeant in charge of the group, Sergeant Cass, played by the late Gregory Hines. Cass, who has no patience for Rago's methods, eventually comes to respect the new teacher and helps him navigate the challenges of teaching a class of recruits who are much more than just a group of troubled kids.

As the recruits begin to open up and show signs of progress, Rago's unconventional methods are called into question by the Army higher-ups. But Rago remains undeterred, determined to help his students find success and meaning in their lives.

In addition to DeVito and Hines, the film stars James Remar as Colonel James, who is the Army officer initially suspicious of Rago's methods, and who ultimately becomes one of his greatest allies. Other notable cast members include Cliff Robertson, Mark Wahlberg, and Kadeem Hardison.

Directed by Penny Marshall, Renaissance Man is a heartwarming comedy-drama that showcases the transformative power of education, literature, and the human spirit. The film is a feel-good journey that highlights the importance of finding common ground and the power of inspiration to change lives.

Despite its comedic tone and feel-good message, Renaissance Man tackles serious social issues such as the challenges that inner-city youth face when it comes to educational and employment opportunities. The film also highlights the need for connection and empathy between different groups and serves as a reminder that people are much more than their circumstances.

Overall, Renaissance Man is an enjoyable and inspiring film that speaks to the transformative power of education, empathy, and the human spirit. With a talented cast and a compelling story, it's a movie that is well worth watching.

Renaissance Man is a 1994 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 44.