Stand and Deliver (1988)
87%RT Audience Score: 79%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
11 wins & 7 nominations total
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
Stand and Deliver is a movie that will make you want to stand up and cheer for the power of education. With a fantastic performance by Edward James Olmos and a cast of talented young actors, this film tells the inspiring true story of a teacher who refused to give up on his students. Sure, it may have a few flaws, but the message of hope and determination shines through. Plus, who doesn’t love a good underdog story? So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to be inspired by the power of education and the human spirit.
Production Company(ies)
Bandai Visual Company, Cine Qua Non Films, Engine Film
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Garfield High School – 5101 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1988
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Mono
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 42m
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Language(s):English, Spanish
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 11, 1988 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 10, 1998
Genre(s)
Drama/Biography
Keyword(s)
starring Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rosanna DeSoto, Andy Garcia, Will Gotay, Ingrid Oliu, directed by Ramón Menéndez, written by Tom Musca, Drama, Biography, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Lynn Darling, Chris Chase, Eleanor Ringel Cater, Linnea Lannon, Joe Pollack, Gene Siskel, PG, Los Angeles, high school, teacher, math class, underdog drama, inspirational figure, California, calculus test, scores, questioned, Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros
Worldwide gross: $13,994,920
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $35,833,171
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,491
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 3,907,652
US/Canada gross: $13,994,920
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $35,833,171
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,212
US/Canada opening weekend: $411,884
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $1,054,605
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,273
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Lou Diamond Phillips – Angel Guzman
Rosanna DeSoto – Fabiola Escalante
Andy Garcia – Dr. Ramirez (Educational Testing Service)
Will Gotay – Pancho
Ingrid Oliu – Guadalupe ‘Lupe’ Escobar
Director(s)
Ramón Menéndez
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Tom Musca
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
11 wins & 7 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (61) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (55) | Rotten (6)
As a paean to the idea that one individual can still make a difference in this world, Stand and Deliver does just that.
August 12, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Lynn Darling
Newsday
TOP CRITIC
I won’t tell the end, I’ll just say this is a wonderful movie. Olmos is superb, funny, strong; Lou Diamond Phillips makes a terrific wise-guy student But then, everybody’s terrific. You come away feeling cheered and hopeful.
August 11, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Chris Chase
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
Stand and Deliver is a rousing, stand-up-and-cheer movie that wears down the most cynical viewer in much the same manner that Escalante wears down his most unreachable students — with raucous humor and ruthless determination.
August 11, 2021
Eleanor Ringel Cater
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP CRITIC
OK, it’s flawed. But goodness triumphs. Stand and Deliver is a great movie for anyone with a schoolbook, for anyone who thinks bad things can’t change, for anyone who thinks one person is not enough to make a difference.
August 11, 2021 | Rating: 7/10
Linnea Lannon
Detroit Free Press
TOP CRITIC
There’s no question but that Jaime Escalante, the dedicated mathematics teacher of Garfield High School, deserves to be honored. And Edward James Olmos… turns in a superior performance as Escalante in a film based on truth.
August 11, 2021
Joe Pollack
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
We all know what a difference an individual can make in a person’s life. Stand and Deliver portrays this powerful influence in a most entertaining manner.
August 11, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Gene Siskel
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
…slow-moving yet mostly compelling…
May 18, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
As original as it is fascinating, because it’s based on intelligence and self-improvement, on the joy of learning, something that’s almost always ignored by the cinema. [Full review in Spanish]
September 9, 2021
Rene Jordan
El Nuevo Herald (Miami)
Director Menendez has skillfully captured both the school and the kids’ home environments. Nothing is prettified we are given barrio life in its beautiful-ugly rawness. Casting choices for the kids are generally brilliant.
August 11, 2021
Ruben Martinez
L.A. Weekly
Stand and Deliver has integrity and pride in the people it depicts.
August 11, 2021 | Rating: B
Marylynn Uricchio
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Stand and Deliver convincingly conveys the high that occurs when things are humming in a classroom, when the light dawns and a concept comes crystal clear.
August 11, 2021
Nancy Baele
Ottawa Citizen
The depth and enthusiasm [Olmos] he brings to the role is impressive. Also very good is Lou Diamond Phillips (La Bamba) as Angel, a sunglassed tough guy who wants to learn math but won’t admit it.
August 11, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Michael D. Reid
Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada)…
Plot
Jaime Escalante is a mathematics teacher in a school in a Hispanic neighbourhood. Convinced that his students have potential, he adopts unconventional teaching methods help gang members and no-hopers pass the rigorous Advanced Placement exam in calculus.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features Lou Diamond Phillips in a standout performance as one of the tough students who is inspired by the teacher’s dedication.
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