The directing debut of Anthony Drazan, "Zebrahead" captured a sizable amount of critical reaction upon its release in 1992, but the film is often overwrought, even if it is well-meaning. Set, and filmed, in Detroit, Michigan, white high school student Zack (Michael Rapaport) immediately falls for black transfer student Nikki (N'Bushe Wright), and their budding relationship that is not based at all on race, sets off a rally of controversy that soon becomes apparent is headed for violence. Rapaport and Wright are both outstanding in their respective, three-dimensional roles, but every other character is more or less a distsant caricature or symbol, aside from Nikki's caring, lonely mother (Candy Ann Brown). The ending is especially unconvincing, as it seems to switch to the end credits while still in midstream.

© 1999 by Dustin Putman