One Eight Seven (1997)

"One Eight Seven" (1997) plunges viewers into the harrowing reality faced by inner-city educators, starring Samuel L. Jackson as Trevor Garfield, a dedicated teacher whose life is irrevocably altered after a brutal stabbing by a student. Seeking a fresh start, Garfield relocates from New York to Los Angeles, hoping to rekindle his passion for teaching as a substitute. However, he quickly discovers that the West Coast holds its own brand of educational nightmares. Confronted by apathetic administrators, gang violence, and a system seemingly designed to protect disruptive students, Garfield witnesses the slow erosion of hope and descent into a dangerous game of survival. While not as widely recognized as some of Reynolds' bigger budget productions, "One Eight Seven" earns its place among his best for its unflinching portrayal of societal decay and the psychological toll it takes on those trying to make a difference. It showcases Reynolds' ability to craft a compelling narrative with gritty realism, tackling difficult subject matter with a raw intensity reminiscent of his earlier work. The film's atmospheric tension, coupled with Jackson's powerful performance as a man pushed to the edge, makes it a memorable and thought-provoking entry in Reynolds' filmography, highlighting his versatility beyond action-adventure epics.