November 18, 2023
FILM: RADICAL
DIRECTED BY: CHRISTOPHER ZALLA
STARRING: EUGENIO DERBEZ, DANIEL HADDAD, JENNIFER TREJO
RATING: 3 ½ out 4 stars
By Dan Pal
There have been plenty of films over the years about the great teacher that arrives to change the lives of downtrodden or unstimulated students (School of Rock, Dead Poets Society, etc. ) Some are more contrived than others but the new film Radical, while featuring many of the beats we expect from this genre, attempts to shed light on a particular region in Mexico whose problems may be highly relatable throughout various parts of the U.S.
Based on a true story, the film follows Sergio Juarez who has been tapped to teach a class of 6th graders in a border town that struggles with poverty and gun violence. Within the first few scenes it is clear that Juarez takes an approach that does not follow any traditional methods of teaching. He’s new to the school and stands as an outsider, much to the dismay of his colleagues who just want the school to finally boast some acceptable scores on the country’s standardized tests. Juarez runs around the school and takes the students out of the classroom, reconfigures the location of desks, and eschews the practice of requiring students to raise their hands. He basically tells them he wants them to learn what they want.
The school itself is a bit of a mess. There is a non-working computer lab and a library with plenty of empty shelves. (The film takes place during the 2011-12 academic year.) While the skies may be sunny, shots are often heard being fired in the distance suggesting the potential for violence at any minute. None of this stops Juarez from using his “radical” methods of teaching though. He inspires them to apply what they’re learning in their everyday lives. Soon even the most difficult of students, such as “pretty boy” Nico whose brother has essentially given up and wants Nico to be part of his criminal gang, begin to uncover some of their own skills and interests. One young girl explores her love of astronomy while another discovers she might be a good philosopher.
Much of the film is pretty light and airy as we see these students growing for the better. What stands out about the film though is that it doesn’t attempt to sugar coat in any way the reality in which these kids live. Some have families who don’t see the value in education when there are other at-home issues that need more attention. As such, the grit of their world starts seeping into the narrative in a way that might feel a bit expected. Surely, they can’t just easily break out of this world.
Yet the inspirational ideas are the biggest take aways from the script. One character asks if it’s better to learn from books or life. Juarez suggests that the students shouldn’t let themselves get “buried in the dirt” around them. Similarly, one student, Paloma, who wants to study planets and the solar system represents the importance of looking outside the world in which they live rather than succumbing to the gravity that keeps them from moving ahead.
Juarez is played by Eugenio Derbez who might be best known for playing the music teacher in the Oscar-winning film CODA. Here he is playing a very different kind of educator. His demeanor, physical appearance, and energy suggests someone who has also experienced what most of these students have. Equally interesting is Daniel Haddad as the director of the school. His initial looks of confusion as to what Juarez is attempting to do eventually warms to an understanding and visible sense of comradery with the teacher. Both Derbez and Haddad add a lot of light and comedic tones to the film when necessary yet they also handle quite well the more dramatic moments in the story.
Radical addresses a number of issues from the forces that keep students down to the standardized tests which threaten and dull attempts for young people to truly grow as individuals. It’s a very engaging film which is also very moving, thought-provoking, and inspiring.
Radical is currently playing in theaters everywhere.
FILM: RADICAL
DIRECTED BY: CHRISTOPHER ZALLA
STARRING: EUGENIO DERBEZ, DANIEL HADDAD, JENNIFER TREJO
RATING: 3 ½ out 4 stars
By Dan Pal
There have been plenty of films over the years about the great teacher that arrives to change the lives of downtrodden or unstimulated students (School of Rock, Dead Poets Society, etc. ) Some are more contrived than others but the new film Radical, while featuring many of the beats we expect from this genre, attempts to shed light on a particular region in Mexico whose problems may be highly relatable throughout various parts of the U.S.
Based on a true story, the film follows Sergio Juarez who has been tapped to teach a class of 6th graders in a border town that struggles with poverty and gun violence. Within the first few scenes it is clear that Juarez takes an approach that does not follow any traditional methods of teaching. He’s new to the school and stands as an outsider, much to the dismay of his colleagues who just want the school to finally boast some acceptable scores on the country’s standardized tests. Juarez runs around the school and takes the students out of the classroom, reconfigures the location of desks, and eschews the practice of requiring students to raise their hands. He basically tells them he wants them to learn what they want.
The school itself is a bit of a mess. There is a non-working computer lab and a library with plenty of empty shelves. (The film takes place during the 2011-12 academic year.) While the skies may be sunny, shots are often heard being fired in the distance suggesting the potential for violence at any minute. None of this stops Juarez from using his “radical” methods of teaching though. He inspires them to apply what they’re learning in their everyday lives. Soon even the most difficult of students, such as “pretty boy” Nico whose brother has essentially given up and wants Nico to be part of his criminal gang, begin to uncover some of their own skills and interests. One young girl explores her love of astronomy while another discovers she might be a good philosopher.
Much of the film is pretty light and airy as we see these students growing for the better. What stands out about the film though is that it doesn’t attempt to sugar coat in any way the reality in which these kids live. Some have families who don’t see the value in education when there are other at-home issues that need more attention. As such, the grit of their world starts seeping into the narrative in a way that might feel a bit expected. Surely, they can’t just easily break out of this world.
Yet the inspirational ideas are the biggest take aways from the script. One character asks if it’s better to learn from books or life. Juarez suggests that the students shouldn’t let themselves get “buried in the dirt” around them. Similarly, one student, Paloma, who wants to study planets and the solar system represents the importance of looking outside the world in which they live rather than succumbing to the gravity that keeps them from moving ahead.
Juarez is played by Eugenio Derbez who might be best known for playing the music teacher in the Oscar-winning film CODA. Here he is playing a very different kind of educator. His demeanor, physical appearance, and energy suggests someone who has also experienced what most of these students have. Equally interesting is Daniel Haddad as the director of the school. His initial looks of confusion as to what Juarez is attempting to do eventually warms to an understanding and visible sense of comradery with the teacher. Both Derbez and Haddad add a lot of light and comedic tones to the film when necessary yet they also handle quite well the more dramatic moments in the story.
Radical addresses a number of issues from the forces that keep students down to the standardized tests which threaten and dull attempts for young people to truly grow as individuals. It’s a very engaging film which is also very moving, thought-provoking, and inspiring.
Radical is currently playing in theaters everywhere.