Gonna knock out the bad first. This was a by the numbers historical dramatization without a shred of suspense or, sadly, much real poignancy behind it. Characters felt flat and one dimensional. All around it just felt like a made for TV thing rather than a proper film and that hurt it.
Now for the good. This movie tackles a subject I didn't know existed. I had no idea about the plight of the chicano community in the public school systems at the time, or at any time really. So for bringing that to my attention? Points. Lot of points actually because I think we need more awareness to these issues that get swept under the rug. I also loved the way, it's mostly Pena's character but the whole movie highlight this idea that if it's not in the news, it didn't happen. That is a terrifying truth of the world that we're all being forced to look at more and more. Out of sight, out of mind cannot be good enough and I love that this movie hit that point.
Overall, this is a pretty mediocre film about a pretty important subject. I want this to be better, I wish it had gotten some buzz or something going so I wasn't just knowing of it's existence now, 15 years after it came out. That said, you may be served just as well by simply looking up racial injustices in 1968 schools. The movie doesn't do enough with the subject matter, but it's definitely worth knowing.
Now for the good. This movie tackles a subject I didn't know existed. I had no idea about the plight of the chicano community in the public school systems at the time, or at any time really. So for bringing that to my attention? Points. Lot of points actually because I think we need more awareness to these issues that get swept under the rug. I also loved the way, it's mostly Pena's character but the whole movie highlight this idea that if it's not in the news, it didn't happen. That is a terrifying truth of the world that we're all being forced to look at more and more. Out of sight, out of mind cannot be good enough and I love that this movie hit that point.
Overall, this is a pretty mediocre film about a pretty important subject. I want this to be better, I wish it had gotten some buzz or something going so I wasn't just knowing of it's existence now, 15 years after it came out. That said, you may be served just as well by simply looking up racial injustices in 1968 schools. The movie doesn't do enough with the subject matter, but it's definitely worth knowing.