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Renaissance Man

Renaissance Man

One man's mission to teach the few, the proud... The impossible!

1994128 minPG-13Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Director
Penny Marshall
Starring
Danny DeVito, Gregory Hines, James Remar, Ed Begley Jr.

An advertising man is slowly sliding downhill. When he is fired from his job in Detroit, he signs up for unemployment. One day they find him a job: teaching thinking skills to Army recruits. He arrives on base to find that there is no structure set up for the class.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Renaissance Man?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Renaissance Man to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Renaissance Man?

Renaissance Man earns 6 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Renaissance Man worth watching?

Renaissance Man's Midcredits score is the 49th percentile of all films, from 30K ratings across 6 sources. 47% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

49th percentile

Better received than 49% of films

55th percentile among Comedy52nd percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)49th
Approval (how many liked it)48th

61 /100

49th percentile of all films

56th percentile among Comedy53rd percentile among 1990s

Critics 44 · Audience 63

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.4 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

47% liked it

48th percentile of all films

54th percentile among Comedy51st percentile among 1990s
47% rated it 7–1053% rated it 1–6

Critics 13% · Audience 53%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

89th percentile

30K ratings across platforms

87th percentile among Comedy84th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 32% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$40M
Opening weekend$5.6M
Domestic gross$24M
Worldwide gross$24M

Returned 0.6× its budget — 84th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A feel-good, formulaic comedy-drama about a reluctant teacher who uses Shakespeare to connect with misfit Army recruits.

Fans praised

  • Moving depiction of Shakespeare awakening self-worth in underdog recruits
  • Danny DeVito's nuanced performance as a reluctant teacher finding purpose
  • Heartfelt teacher-student bond that delivers genuine emotional impact

Detractors panned

  • Formulaic and predictable plot borrowed from better teacher films
  • Forced, phony conversion of cadets to Shakespeare enthusiasm
  • Cringeworthy Hamlet rap scene and uneven tonal shifts

What stands out

ActingDivisive68

DeVito praised for warmth; supporting cast uneven, Wahlberg wooden for some

Emotional impactDivisive65

Fans find it touching and inspiring; detractors call it manipulative

CharactersDivisive60

Recruits develop distinct personalities; drill sergeant character underwritten

DialogueDivisive50

Shakespeare excerpts effective; some witty lines but uneven

PacingDivisive40

Dragging middle section; too many side stories

Plot and storyDivisive35

Predictable Dead Poets Society clone with weak subplots

HumorDivisive35

Comedy falls flat; more drama than laughs

OriginalityDivisive20

Highly derivative of other teacher-military films

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 20 points higher than men.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Renaissance Man like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, has a few laughs and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
HopefulJoyfulWarm
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
TonePenny Marshall plays the dramatic beats and inspirational moments earnestly, with gentle humor woven into the fish-out-of-water premise.
The rideA generally light and warm mood builds to a hopeful, triumphant conclusion as the soldiers succeed.
StructureThe story follows a conventional beginning-middle-end arc: the protagonist's fall, his reluctant teaching assignment, and the mutual growth of teacher and students.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you believing that even the most unlikely people can find purpose and community through art and connection.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% (this title) · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Redemption: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).

13% of films fit this archetype

with Rags to riches underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA cynical, unemployed advertising executive finds purpose by teaching underachieving army recruits, discovering a passion for teaching himself.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of filmsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores finding purpose through teaching, the soldiers discovering their own worth, and the unlikely community that forms between them.
StanceThe film celebrates finding purpose and the value of every person, with shared focus between Bill Rago and the soldiers.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalRuralRealistic
Orchestral classicalPopSupportive music · original score · Hans Zimmer
Settinga U.S. Army basic training base
MusicAn upbeat orchestral score with pop songs from the era to underscore the inspirational tone.

Content guide

Is Renaissance Man okay for kids?

PG-13

Renaissance Man is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for some language” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (20/100), sexual content at moderate (38/100), language at moderate (44/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 4 other countries
  • UK12
  • Germany6
  • South Korea12
  • Czechia12+
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (5 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (27 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Renaissance Man have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Renaissance Man?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Danny DeVito
as Bill Rago
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Gregory Hines
as Sergeant Cass
James Remar
as Captain Tom Murdoch
Ed Begley Jr.
as Jack Markin
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Lillo Brancato
as Pvt. Donnie Benitez
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Stacey Dash
as Pvt. Miranda Myers
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Kadeem Hardison
as Pvt. Jamaal Montgomery
Cliff Robertson
as Colonel James
Richard T. Jones
as Pvt. Jackson Leroy
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Khalil Kain
as Pvt. Roosevelt Nathaniel Hobbs
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Renaissance Man?

Movies like Renaissance Man include Troop Zero (2019), In Good Company (2004) and The Yellow Handkerchief (2008). Of the 12 closest matches, several are redemption stories, and half are films set in the rural American South.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

4 of these 12 share its story type: workplace comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Renaissance Man?

496 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: workplace comedy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.