Show I Stand and Deliver Delivers By Mike Mik Richan Every now and again there is a film that could be used as a tex- tex texi textbook i tb ok for inspiring people to suc- suc 1 1 l' l 3 It deals with harsh realities rf oS- oSand and obstacles and overcomes v v rf them never once becoming unrealistic or unbelievable ble Stand and Deliver is such a film Though school and the j it deals with high 7 1 challenge of the classroom and r will assuredly bolster any educator j J who will watch it it works on all r 5 a levels to inspire any viewer S k jr r Edward James Olmos plays the i 1 edu educator ator who leaves his high payi pay- pay C kf i f fing f ing job at a private firm to teach It is clear from the start that he is past passionate pas- pas t r 0 about his desire to instruct s and that desire is transferred to his r. r 5 less than ambitious students By his his' determination to prepare young minds for tor college and careers he heSI t SI S t out-maneuvers out those who stand in his way unruly students disenchanted disenchanted disenchanted disen disen- chanted associates unconcerned parents and even his own failing health In the end he has succeeded succeed succeed- ed in preparing 18 students for an advance placement college exam a first in the high schools school's history only to have the entire group accused accused accused ac ac- ac- ac of cheating a claim made bythe bythe by bythe the examination board based on similar incorrect answers Now Olmos faces the disillusionment of having encouraged his students to excel at a system that rejects them and accusations of racism are made How he and his students come to terms with the examination examina examina- tion board and their own pride and integrity wraps up an immensely entertaining and rewarding film made more so by its basis on a true story J Tk T k ft L f c Lou Diamond Phillips turns in a afine afine afine fine performance as a student who switches from misdirection to scholastic excellence and all other students you come to know each of them are well portrayed It is in inmany inmany inmany many ways an ensemble cast But Olmos delivers the character with the inspiration humor and drive to achieve This is an involving involving involving ing engaging picture that pulls your attention n and succeeds in providing a lesson on endurance without becoming preachy Everyone Every Every- one would do well to see it With a afew afew afew few more educators willing to fight odds as depicted here our communities communities communities com com- could be radically chang chang- ed It is a reminder of the important and often underestimated role of teaching in our society and is strong evidence as to the difference one committed and courageous person can make |