Stand and Deliver (1988)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Ramón Menéndez

Writers (WGA):

Ramón Menéndez (written by) &
Tom Musca (written by)

Release Date:

11 March 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

In 1982, a new troublemaker hit Garfield High. He was tough. He was wild. He was willing to fight. He was the new math teacher.

Plot:

A dedicated teacher inspires his dropout prone students to learn calculus to build up their self-esteem and do so well that they are accused of cheating.

Plot Keywords:

Calculus | Dedicated Teacher | Cheating | Dropout | Mathematics

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 10 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Eliot	...	Tito (as Mark Eliot)
Edward James Olmos	...	Jaime A. Escalante
Estelle Harris	...	Estelle (Principal Molina's secretary)
Mark Phelan	...	Cop
Virginia Paris	...	Raquel Ortega
Adelaida Álvarez	...	Sexy girl
Will Gotay	...	Pancho
Patrick Baca	...	Javier Perales
Ingrid Oliu	...	Guadalupe 'Lupe' Escobar
Carmen Argenziano	...	Mr. Molina - Garfield High Principal
Richard Martinez	...	Heavy metal boy
Mark Everett	...	Heavy metal boy
Tyde Kierney	...	Joe Goodell
Rosanna DeSoto	...	Fabiola Escalante (as Rosana De Soto)
Bodie Olmos	...	Fernando Escalante

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:15 (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1989) | Australia:PG | Finland:S | USA:PG | West Germany:12 (f)

Filming Locations:

Garfield High School - 5101 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

American Playhouse

Trivia:

Edward James Olmos went through a hair thinning process and gained an estimated 20 pounds for the role of Jaime Escalante.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The seals the students are shown breaking to begin the test are those placed on the multiple-choice booklets after the test to ensure they are not viewed again. AP tests are given to test takers sealed only in plastic wrap.

Quotes:

Claudia: You're worried that we'll screw up royally tomorrow, aren't you?
Jaime Escalante: Tomorrow's another day. I'm worried you're gonna screw up the rest of your lives.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "South Park: Eek, a Penis! (#12.5)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Contrabando Del Paso

I wish there were more movies made by minorities showing their own perception of life.

Based on a true story Stand and Deliver was written by Ramón Menéndez and Tom Musca, and directed by Ramón Menéndez. I wish there were more movies made by minorities showing their own perception of life. I especially think that this movie was a triumph because the directors, the actors, are mostly minorities. The story is well told and is sad and shows the urban life of students in Los Angeles. I must say that I take my hat off to any teacher, especially those in the inner city. I would never have the patience to deal with teenagers at all, regardless of race, religion, etc. It is a hard age where the kids think that they are invincible. The teacher "Edward James Olmos" Jaime Escalante, did a wonderful job with those students, as Jaime Escalante did a good job teaching. He was nominated for several awards. The most unfair thing is to think that just because those kids were poor they could not excel and had to take the same exam twice. What a system is this? I loved the fact that Mr. Olmos expected more from the students than mediocrity and they lived up to his expectations. Favorite Scenes: When the students passed the second test. Unfortunately I think that there were instances in American history that certain minority groups would not had even the chance to go to school, much less to have a second chance to prove how good they are. Favorite Quotes: Edward James Olmos: Claudia: "You're worried that we'll screw up big tomorrow, aren't you?" Edward James Olmos: "Tomorrow's another day. I'm worried you're gonna screw up the rest of your lives." Edward James Olmos: "Tough guys don't do math. Tough guys fry chicken for a living!" Edward James Olmos: "They learned that if you try really hard nothing changes." We don't live in a perfect world. I recommend this movie although I found it somewhat sad, because it is very realistic. But reality is not always pleasant.