Common Sense Note
Parents should know that this film deals with mature themes and language. Gangs that threaten violence, and a chain-wielding teacher pursues three kids through the school. There's a lot of macho bravado in and out of the classroom. Parents undermine their kids' academic dreams, and a teacher refuses to believe her underprivileged students are capable of excellence.
Families who see this film might discuss the advantages and limitations of using movies to dramatize the real life events. Can movies tell the story in ways that other media, such as books or radio, can't? Where do they fall short? How much of a story can one tell in the timespan of the typical movie? Who decides what's left out or what's emphasized?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Ellen MacKay
A great drama of academic triumph against the odds boasts of solid acting. But don't expect many thrills and frills.
Based on the true story of a Los Angeles teacher who converted apathetic students into math stars, this film is full of Spanish (without subtitles), calculus, and inspiration.
Jaime Escalante will do anything to coach his poor, Latino students through college-level math, even sneak out of his hospital bed to get back to work. This gritty story about a heroic teacher is wonderfully free of saccharine sentiment and Hollywood glitz.
Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos) quits his job at a software company to teach computer science in the barrio. He soon finds that his school --- the impoverished Garfield High -- doesn't have any computers. Determined to turn around his students' lives, he begins by teaching algebra to remedial math students, and eventually shepherds them through a highly advanced course in calculus.
Escalante and his students all make significant sacrifices to achieve academic honors. The teacher nearly kills himself with work and the students weather an unjustified cheating scandal. Eventually this group of ghetto youth prove they have the right stuff for college and beyond.
STAND AND DELIVER is a rare Hollywood feature that brings depth and dignity to its exploration of high school life. What makes it even more unusual is that the kids on parade are not the usual all-white mix of teenage stereotypes. Instead they are all Lation, and much of their dialogue is delivered in Spanish (with meanings made clear for those who don't speak the language).
The film is anchored by Olmos's near-perfect Oscar-nominated performance. It's not easy to make calculus interesting and, as Escalante, Olmos lights a fire under his students. The greatest pleasure lies in watching his unlikely crew turn into a group of confident achievers. The film never falls into the trap of making these characters too good to be true. Escalante, while driven, neglects his family. His behavior in the classroom verges on sexist. He loses his temper and even makes academic mistakes. He is, in other words, completely human. His students, too, are all complex, realistic characters, with great stories to tell.
Other movies in this vein are Dead Poets Society, To Sir with Love, and Coach Carter.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentThe teacher occasionally talks about the attractiveness of female students. One girl has a reputation for being "easy." |
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ViolenceGangs threaten violence; a teacher pursues three kids through the school with chains. |
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LanguageModerate to heavy swearing. Consistent with high school conversation, the s-word is sprinkled throughout. |
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Social BehaviorThis film features complex, realistic Latino students -- and a teacher willing to believe in them (though he does make sexist comments). There's a lot of macho bravado in and out of the classroom. Parents undermine their kids' academic dreams. A teacher refuses to believe her students are capable of excellence. |
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