Name This SciFi Movie

December 9, 2004 12:52 PM

A society of averages is the norm. Students who raise above a C get a gadget/headband to wear that reduces their brainpower to producing only C level thought. One student continues to excel, despite being given a very juiced up band. He attacks the norm by taking over a radio station and playing "radical music." What in the world is the name of this movie??
posted by striker to Media & Arts (13 answers total)

I haven't seen the movie, but it sounds like it could be the adaptation of the short story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut?
posted by librarina at 12:55 PM on December 9, 2004

Response by poster: That was fast. Thanks librarina - I've been trying to convice people this movie existed for awhile, but was unable to find it to rent, apparently because it was made for tv only. AskMe is neat.
posted by striker at 1:00 PM on December 9, 2004

It can be yours for the low, low price of $29.95!
posted by zsazsa at 1:05 PM on December 9, 2004

Such a good movie! I loved the police raid on the brothel where everyone was playing chess and talking philosophy.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 1:05 PM on December 9, 2004

Somewhat OT but watching The Incredibles made me think of Harrison Bergeron immediately. Same sort of idea about reducing everyone to the mean. Odd that one of the most memorable stories from a famous liberal like Vonnegut seems an attack on affirmative action.
posted by octothorpe at 1:33 PM on December 9, 2004

OT a bit, but now that the question's answered, I guess it's OK. Has anyone seen Bruce Willis' adaptation of "Breakfast of Champions?" Weird and wild stuff...
posted by idontlikewords at 1:46 PM on December 9, 2004

breakfast of champions was my favorite bruce willis movie ever. it could be because i've got the literary gay for mr. vonnegut.

also, what the hell were they thinking, casting sean "second breakfast" astin as harrison bergeron?
posted by plexiwatt at 2:04 PM on December 9, 2004

Yeah, I thought Harrison was supposed to be really tall? Wasn't that part of the point - he was physically above average too?
posted by librarina at 2:32 PM on December 9, 2004

octothorpe: Funny enough, Harrison Bergeron and The Incredibles were discussed in a recent thread.
posted by gwint at 3:06 PM on December 9, 2004

plexiwatt: While I can't vouch for Astin in this movie, he was amazing as Mister Smith in Jeremiah.
posted by bh at 3:16 PM on December 9, 2004

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
posted by Quartermass at 3:37 PM on December 9, 2004

"Pump up the Harrison Bergeron"
posted by bryanzera at 4:08 PM on December 9, 2004

"I Love you Mister Frodo!"
posted by Megafly at 8:58 AM on December 10, 2004