How High

How High 2001

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of How High (2001). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Two underachieving potheads, Silas and Jamal, find themselves in a peculiar situation when the ghost of Silas’s recently deceased friend Ivory (Chuck Deezy) pays them a visit. After Silas uses Ivory’s ashes as fertilizer for his latest marijuana crop, they discover that smoking it allows Ivory’s spirit to communicate and even assist them during their college entrance exams—dubbed the “THC” (Testing for Higher Credentials), a humorous twist on the SAT and a nod to tetrahydrocannabinol.

As they take the test, Ivory feeds them answers, leading both to score perfectly. With several dubious colleges extending scholarship offers, they ultimately decide on Harvard University, thanks to the convincing Chancellor Huntley (Fred Willard), who is eager to improve minority admissions.

Upon arriving at Harvard, they encounter an eclectic group including Bart (Chris Elwood), the rowing team captain, his girlfriend Lauren (Lark Voorhies), and I Need Money (Al Shearer), alongside their quirky roommates, Jeffrey (Justin Urich) and Tuan (Trieu Tran). A meeting with Dean Carl Cain (Obba Babatundé) reveals that they must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to keep their scholarships.

While Jamal aims to surpass Bart on the rowing team, Silas enrolls in botany classes to hone his skills. They partake in black history courses as well, with Ivory’s help ensuring that they pass all their classes effortlessly. Silas’s attempts to grow closer to Lauren progress, while Jamal dates Jamie (Essence Atkins), the daughter of the U.S. Vice President (Jeffrey Jones).

As the semester unfolds, their antics escalate, resulting in pranks that provoke Bart and the Dean. After a wild Halloween party leads to valuable resources being stolen, the guys find themselves bereft of Ivory’s assistance. In a desperate attempt to improve their grades, Silas embarks on an experiment for a truth serum using botanical extracts, while Jamal suggests a rather reckless plan to exhume a “smart dead guy” instead.

The midterms arrive, but both boys falter in their exams, unable to grasp Silas’s rather laid-back study plan. Even when attempting Jamal’s outlandish idea of digging up John Quincy Adams, they find little success. Meanwhile, Gerald, a fellow student turned stoner via Ivory’s inheritance, brings back remnants of the Ivory plant, though they are diminished and ineffective.

As finals loom, despair set in. However, a reminder from Jeffrey about Silas’s deadline pushes him to complete the truth serum just in time to counteract the nausea from the last leaves of Ivory’s plant. Though their grades still fall short, an unexpected invitation to the prestigious Harvard Alumni party comes from Jamie, courtesy of her father’s alumni status.

At the celebration, Silas seizes the moment to test his serum, leading to hilarious revelations, including Lauren’s shocking discovery that a supposed artifact is actually a bong, validated by the appearance of Ivory and Benjamin Franklin himself. The uproar infuriates Dean Cain, who, in a fit of rage, tries to attack the duo with an axe but is foiled and subsequently apprehended.

In the end, the boys successfully secure their place at Harvard, while Jamal gains approval to date Jamie, and Silas wins Lauren’s affection—leaving Bart helpless in their wake.

Timeline

Track the key events of How High (2001) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Silas's Encounter with Ivory's Ghost

Silas and Jamal are approached by the ghost of Silas's deceased friend, Ivory. They discover that using Ivory's ashes as fertilizer for marijuana enables them to communicate with him from beyond the grave.

The THC Exam

After connecting with Ivory's spirit, Silas and Jamal take the college entrance exam, which is humorously dubbed the THC. With Ivory's help feeding them answers, both ace the test with perfect scores.

Scholarship Offers

Following their outstanding exam results, several colleges begin to offer scholarship opportunities to Silas and Jamal. Eventually, they choose Harvard University, swayed by the compelling Chancellor Huntley.

Harvard University

Arrival at Harvard

Upon arriving at Harvard, Silas and Jamal meet a quirky cast of characters, including Bart, the rowing team captain, and his girlfriend, Lauren. They are also introduced to their eclectic roommates, Jeffrey and Tuan.

Harvard University

Meeting the Dean

Silas and Jamal have a pivotal meeting with Dean Carl Cain, who informs them they need to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to keep their scholarships. This sets the tone for their academic journey ahead.

Dean's Office, Harvard University

Pursuing Their Goals

While Jamal is determined to outdo Bart on the rowing team, Silas dives into botany classes to perfect his cultivation skills. They also enroll in black history courses, aided by Ivory’s ghost.

Harvard University

Pranks and Antics

As the semester progresses, Silas and Jamal’s antics lead them to pull pranks that irritate Bart and the Dean. Their carefree attitude starts to create friction in their academic life.

Harvard University

Halloween Party Mayhem

A wild Halloween party takes a turn for the worse when valuable resources are stolen, leaving Silas and Jamal without Ivory’s support. This incident triggers a frantic search for a solution.

Harvard University

Desperate Measures

With their grades slipping, Silas decides to experiment with a truth serum made from botanical extracts while Jamal suggests a reckless plan to exhume a legendary figure for answers. Their unorthodox methods add to the chaos.

Midterm Struggles

Midterms arrive, and both boys struggle due to a lack of preparation. Even their wild idea to dig up historical figures fails miserably, further complicating their academic standing.

Finals Season Woes

As finals approach, Silas and Jamal face mounting pressure to succeed. A last-minute reminder from Jeffrey motivates Silas to complete his truth serum, hoping it will turn their luck around.

Harvard Alumni Party

Silas receives an unexpected invitation to a prestigious Harvard Alumni party from Jamie, the Vice President's daughter. This opportunity seems like a chance to salvage their academic reputation.

Harvard Alumni Party

Truth Serum Revelations

At the alumni party, Silas tests his truth serum, leading to hilarious and outrageous revelations. The revelation of the bong as an artifact angers Dean Cain, leading to chaotic consequences.

Harvard Alumni Party

Dean Cain's Outburst

Enraged by the chaos at the party, Dean Cain attempts to attack Silas and Jamal with an axe. However, the confrontation ends with him being thwarted and taken away, showcasing the absurdity of their journey.

A Successful Conclusion

Ultimately, Silas and Jamal secure their places at Harvard, culminating in personal victories as Jamal gets approval to date Jamie, and Silas wins Lauren's affection. Their journey exemplifies unexpected triumphs amidst their wild college life.

Harvard University

Characters

Meet the characters that bring How High (2001) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Silas (Method Man)

Silas is an underachieving pothead with a laid-back attitude towards life. Throughout the movie, he demonstrates growth as he navigates college challenges and ultimately seeks to establish a romantic connection with Lauren. Silas's bond with his deceased friend Ivory showcases loyalty and a desire for self-improvement.

💨 Underachiever 🌱 Botany ✅ Determined

Jamal (Redman)

Jamal is Silas's best friend and fellow pothead, known for his wild ideas and ambition. His competitive spirit is evident in his goal to excel on the rowing team and impress Jamie, the Vice President’s daughter. Jamal's character embodies the fun-loving attitude of college life while getting into crazy predicaments for academic success.

🤪 Adventurous 🚣‍♂️ Competitive 🎉 Fun-Loving

Setting

Uncover the settings of How High (2001), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The movie is set in a contemporary time period, reflecting modern college life and the challenges faced by students today. It tackles themes of academic pressure and the pursuit of higher education while intertwined with humor and the influence of contemporary culture.

Location

Harvard University, College Campus

Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Known for its rich history and academic excellence, it attracts a diverse student body and offers a plethora of courses. The college campus is vibrant, filled with historical buildings, lush greenery, and a sense of intellectual pursuit.

🏛️ University 📚 Education 🌳 Botany

Themes

Explore the core themes of How High (2001). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🎓

Education

The theme of education is integral to the movie, as the characters navigate their way through college admissions and courses. It humorously highlights the absurdity of standardized testing and the pressures of maintaining scholarships. Through their antics, the importance of learning and personal growth is juxtaposed with their laid-back approaches to academic success.

👻

Supernatural

The supernatural theme revolves around the ghost of Silas's deceased friend, Ivory, whose spirit aids the protagonists. This comedic twist adds an element of the fantastical, showcasing how the characters seek help from beyond the grave to enhance their academic performance. It emphasizes themes of friendship and support, even in unconventional forms.

😂

Comedy

As a comedy, the film employs humor to address serious topics like underachievement and college pressures. The outrageous situations and clever pranks create a lighthearted atmosphere, inviting laughter while subtly critiquing societal expectations. The characters' misadventures serve as a vehicle for entertainment, exploring the lighter side of student life.

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