Jaime Escalante is a mathematics teacher in a school in a hispanic neighbourhood. Convinced that his students have potential, he adopts unconventional teaching methods to try and turn gang members and no-hopers into some of the country's top algebra and calculus students.
Directed by Ramón Menéndez
mathematics
education
based on true story
teacher
drop-out
high school teacher
mexican american
Rank
#39 in 1988·#3641 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.5 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Edward James Olmos
Jaime A. Escalante
Lou Diamond Phillips
Angel Guzman
Rosanna DeSoto
Fabiola Escalante
Andy Garcia
Dr. Ramirez
Estelle Harris
Secretary
Mark Phelan
Cop
Eliot
Tito (as Mark Eliot)
Carmen Argenziano
Molina
Bodie Olmos
Fernando Escalante
Vanessa Marquez
Ana Delgado
Daniel Villarreal
Chuco
Ingrid Oliu
Lupe Escobar
Crew
Ramón Menéndez
Director
Ramón Menéndez
Writer
Craig Safan
Original Music Composer
Tom Richmond
Director of Photography
Jaki Brown
Casting
Frank Smathers
Dialogue Editor
Popular Reviews
236 reviews
Jayla
8.0★ · 05/20/26
What’s cal-cul-las?
What’s cal-cul-las?
Salar Evans
9.0★ · 04/01/26
Dead Poets Society for nerds
Dead Poets Society for nerds
Isaac Zamora
6.0★ · 03/27/26
Every teacher in socal has seen this movie
Every teacher in socal has seen this movie
emily
8.0★ · 02/22/26
ap calc propaganda. do not recommend. dont fall for the trap.
ap calc propaganda. do not recommend. dont fall for the trap.
Lilly Birnell
6.0★ · 01/15/26
Bro if I had to take an ap exam TWICE just to prove I wasn’t cheating I think I would lose my marbles
Bro if I had to take an ap exam TWICE just to prove I wasn’t cheating I think I would lose my marbles
