Every generation needs one of these. The 1980s didn’t start this movement, but it did master it with classics like Stand & Deliver and Dead Poets Society. I don’t know if Radical can jump start a string of great movie teachers, but I do know that any way we can inspire kids to want to learn is a good idea. I certainly was inspired to dream, try, do good. Thanks Mr. Feeny!
Turns out they even need teachers in border towns. Matamoros is a border town just outside the US in Mexico: a place where everyone is living in perpetual waiting for something else. Kids like Paloma (Jennifer Trejo) don’t have time to study to be astronauts because they have to sift through the dump to trade metal for money. And other kids like Nico (Danilo Guardiola) have to be class clowns and hate school because they’re forced into the only profitable work around: the drug trade. As such, principal Chucho (Daniel Haddad) of Jose Urbina Lopez Elementary believes in discipline above all else to hopefully keep the kids still so they can learn. To Chucho’s surprise the new 6th grade teacher Sergio (Eugenio Derbez) takes the opposite approach: pushing kids to open their mind to get excited about learning something, anything, outside life in Matamoros.
Radical as a movie idea is anything but; however, no one should care, because this formula works when it’s right. And it is so right here. I don’t usually care for Eugenio Derbez, as he’s usually too broadly silly to be wholly enjoyed, but he’s excellent here, using his showy physicality in service of the story. Watching the kids eyes light up as he pretends to be in an ocean, asking the kids to help him solve the problem of fitting everyone into rafts, gives this little flicker of light in the darkness of these kids’ day to day lives. One student Lupe (Mia Fernanda Solis) forced to care for her younger siblings takes interest in philosophy, Paloma builds a telescope to watch SpaceX launches, and Nico actually starts to see himself as someone with a brain. Watching these little 11 years old flickers transform into fires of inspiration to actually dream of something bigger for their lives should soften even the hardest of hearts, taking everyone back to that one teacher that really made them believe they could become something great.
Even surrounded by these dreams, Radical constantly reminds everyone they could quickly turn into delusions of grandeur. Sergio and Chucho have an interesting relationship with one another, but they are beset on all sides by systemic government forces, threatening more cuts and constantly depriving these kids of even simple resources they need to make it in the real world, going back to “teaching to the test” instead of actually inspiring the kids to learn. Nico’s plight is the most movie compelling: once you’re in a cartel, it’s not exactly easy to get out. But even Paloma and Lupe’s smaller obstacles are no less heartbreaking. Watching spirits of 11 year old kids get broken in brutal ways is manipulative as hell by writer/director Christopher Zalla. But you know what? I didn’t care cause I was drowning in my own tears for all the untapped talent kids like Paloma, Lube, or Nico could bring into the world if they weren’t dealt such a crappy, but believable hand.
Radical works because of it’s clear message: the kids should always come first. The minute the end graphics go up, you can’t help but smile. Radical is based on a true story, mostly. That means there is a Sergio, and there is a Paloma (she’s studying law now)! I hope any kid stuck in a rotten life situation gets a chance to see this movie, and realizes that you’re the only thing you need. If you want to learn something, you can figure it out! And hopefully you find the Sergio in your life who will help you become what you want to be. So you can, dream, try, and do good too.