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      Stand and Deliver

      1988, Drama/Biography, 1h 42m

      61 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      Stand and Deliver pulls off the unlikely feat of making math class the stuff of underdog drama -- and pays rousing tribute to a real-life inspirational figure in the bargain. Read critic reviews

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      Stand and Deliver  Photos

      Stand and Deliver (1988) Stand and Deliver (1988) Stand and Deliver (1988) Stand and Deliver (1988) Stand and Deliver (1988)

      Movie Info

      Los Angeles high school teacher Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos) is being hassled by tough students like Angel Guzman (Lou Diamond Phillips). But Jaime is also pressured by his bosses, who want him to control his raucous classroom. Caught in the middle, he opts to immerse his students in higher math. After intensive study, his students ace California's calculus test, only to learn that their scores are being questioned. They'll have to retake the exam in order to quiet the critics.

      • Rating: PG

      • Genre: Drama, Biography

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Ramón Menéndez

      • Producer: Tom Musca

      • Release Date (Theaters):  original

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $11.9M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.

      • Production Co: Warner Brothers

      Cast & Crew

      Edward James Olmos
      Rosanna DeSoto
      Andy Garcia
      Ingrid Oliu
      Virginia Paris
      Lindsay Law
      Tom Musca
      Craig Safan
      Tom Richmond
      Kathryn Morrison

      News & Interviews for Stand and Deliver

      Critic Reviews for Stand and Deliver

      Audience Reviews for Stand and Deliver

      • Apr 07, 2014

        Before he destroyed his credibility talking about the Canticle of Magic at an old Super Bowl, Edward James Olmos delivered a wonderful 'teacher inspires students in low income area to do well at school' role. Also notable as the last thing Lou Diamond Phillips did that we cared about.

        Super Reviewer
      • Oct 25, 2013

        Pretty good. Inspiring story. Can't say I like Almos' acting here though...normally I think he's awesome, but I just don't like him that much here. Good movie though.

        Stephen S Super Reviewer
      • Dec 23, 2011

        A well-done if very melodramatic film concerning a passionate math teacher (Edward James Olmos) who somehow succeeds in inspiring his students to learn calculus. The films feels very familiar and predictable, but it is still crowd-pleasing at its conclusion. Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Andy Garcia are all exceptional, which gives the film the additional energy it needs to hold our attention. Not especially memorable over the years (it has been a while since I have seen it), but still an admirable movie that is certainly believable.

        Super Reviewer
      • Mar 01, 2011

        Despite a recommendation from one of my friends (who has recommended mostly crappy movies in the past), I was willing to give this movie a chance if only to see the venerable Edward James Olmos as a professor. However, I quickly learned to ignore such reasoning because this film doesn't do asingle thing you haven't seen before. The entire thing plays out like a poorly written account of Husker teaching how to subtract 2 from 2 to a roomful of robots with their "poor Latino stereotype" settings turned to eleven. Even the ending comes off as contrived, trying far too hard to move you even an inch. And the rest of the film doesn't fare much better, particularly the the incredibly aggrevating soundtrack. In short, take each individual facet of what this movie tries to do and go see movies that focus their attention on one of them rather than try to stretch it across all of them. If you want to feel inspired, go see 127 Hours. If you want a great leading actor, go see The King's Speech. if you want to witness the education of a poverty-stricken teenage hooligan, go see Good Will Hunting. If you want to like this movie, just go see Bloodrayne and compare it to this. And then go jump in front of a speeding train because you're officially incapable of telling the difference between quality and crap.

        Super Reviewer

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