Everyone has at least one teacher they will never forget. Eugenio Derbez portrays such a teacher in Writer/Director Christopher Zalla’s film based on the on the real story of one man who took radical steps to reach, teach and inspire students in a poor performing public school. The kids in that school lived in a rural Mexican border town that had more than its share of corruption and violence.
Derbez, who is known more for comedy, plays Sergio, in a more serious role that also lets him have fun working with young, inexperienced kid-actors. In our interview, the actor told us that he, himself, had a teacher growing up who inspired him and that they are still in touch. Derbez also relayed that, on set, he helped mentor young cast members, but that he learned a lot from them, too.
In the film, Sergio (Derbez) gets in trouble with Chucho (Daniel Haddad) the school principal, for not sticking to the curriculum meant to help the kids pass a standardized test to ensure funding for the school. Sergio is using whatever he can to try to wake these kids up so they will discover a love of learning. He has them partner up for projects, arranges them like the planets in the school yard to create the solar system, and even gets onto a big tub with all his clothes on to show the principle of water displacement. That scene is very effective with Derbez’s brand of fun comedy.
But Sergio gets suspended for teaching outside the box, even though the kids love it. Eventually, he befriends Chucho. but there are still problems that Sergio wants to address to help some of his smart but more stifled or suppressed students. He recognizes genius in Paloma (Jennifer Trejo) who dreams of being an astronaut getting no support from her father (Gilberto Barraza). Trejo is one of the few who has had acting experience and she is exceptional. Her budding friendship with Nico is handled with care and childlike innocence.
First time actor Nico (Danilo Guardiola) is a, quiet, brooding, rebellious kid whose brother gets him involved with a drug dealing gang. Danilo is a natural actor who tackles well a big role interacting with Jennifer and Eugenio. His simmering, brooding exterior hides the innate decency that Derbez extracts from him when they share scenes together.
Director Zalla and cinematographer Mateo Londoner create some stark scenes, especially the mountain of trash that Paloma rummages through everyday searching for utensils she can salvage to use to craft an array of scientific instruments. The trash mountain is both a stark reminder of her poverty, but also an unlikely resource.
The film shows how unfair life can be for kids who grow up in a depressing place, but how one person who cares can change their lives. Zalla’s script and Derbez as Sergio show how a film with a serious subject can present Radical changes to create fun and hope in a heartfelt movie.
Miercoles Entertainment 2 Hours 5 Minutes PG-13
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