 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Stand and Deliver
- Review Date: October 16, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Drama
- 1988
Common Sense Media says
Intensely watchable movie based on a true story.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to 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.
What's the story?
Based on the true story of a Los Angeles teacher who converted apathetic students into math stars, STAND AND DELIVER is full of Spanish (without subtitles), calculus, and inspiration. Jaime Escalante(Edward James Olmos) 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. Escalante quits his job at a software company to teach computer science in the barrio, only to discover that the school -- impoverished Garfield High -- lacks 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.
Is it any good?
Stand and Deliver is a rare Hollywood feature that brings depth and dignity to its exploration of high school life. It's gritty, and free of saccharine sentiment and Hollywood glitz. What makes it even more unusual is that 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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about 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?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 14 years old
April 18, 2011
AGE
Stand up for yourself and never give up
This is indeed a great film about math and how to succed in life when you have the desire to want to.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
I ENJOY
I ENJOY THIZ MOVIE BECAUSE I THINK IT IS VERY GOOD I LUV MOVIES THAT ARE BASE ON TRUE STORYS BECAUSE SOMETIMES I CAN REALATED TO THE PEOPLE
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Teen, 13 years old
May 14, 2011
AGE
R rated!
Should be rated R for language
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Incredible movie
I have seen this movie more than once and it still stands up. Very moving and powerful story of how to motivate people using their best instincts and challenges. Olmos' performance is mesmerizing. If you've never seen it, give yourself a treat.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 19, 2010
AGE
Going crazy for Jamie!
I loved it we watched it in my spanish class and it was so much fun! it shows no matter what you can always do things you set your mind to!
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Teen, 15 years old
December 6, 2010
AGE
i absolutely love this movie. it teaches you many lessons. it makes you laugh at most points. but it always shows a positive message. i didnt have any concerns. it just shows how some people are jugded and the way you look makes people percieve you a different way then you might be.
What other families should know:
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AGE
This was such a good movie
Anyone who hasn't seen "Stand and Deliver" should go out and rent it soon. It is an excellent movie based on the true events of poor Hispanic students from California who eventually succeed on the SAT. Despite objectionable content in every category, parents and their teens will really enjoy this movie's message, which is to never give up and work harder. If only they made movies like this today.
Was this review useful?
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AGE
This was such a good movie
Anyone who hasn't seen "Stand and Deliver" should go out and rent it soon. It is an excellent movie based on the true events of poor Hispanic students from California who eventually succeed on the SAT. Despite objectionable content in every category, parents and their teens will really enjoy this movie's message, which is to never give up and work harder. If only they made movies like this today.
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Teen, 17 years old
January 12, 2011
AGE
Great Movie
I loved this movie because it showed that if you try you can come through with your dreams. And that's what these kids did. It's a great movie for kids.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 10 and 12 year old
December 6, 2009
AGE
Don't Hide from Real life Face it armed with Intelligence and information
Real life has its rough edges and this movie helps us to
face and deal with them.
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| Topics: | misfits and underdogs, numbers and letters |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Ramon Menendez |
| Cast: | Andy Garcia, Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 11, 1988 |
| DVD release date: | May 18, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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