Sundance 2023

Though it follows a pretty standard inspirational teacher drama template, Eugenio Derbez's performance has enough charisma and charm to transform the overly familiar plot into a heartwarming crowd-pleaser. Winner of the Festival Favorite Award at the 2023 Sundance, it's one of my favorite dramas of this year's festival. It takes a traumatic turn in the last act that is rather melodramatic compared to the rest of the film. It is based on a true story, though, so I can't fault the filmmakers much for its inclusion. I enjoyed the film immensely, though. The child actors gave impressive performances that sometimes made me forget I was watching a film. Jennifer Trejo's Paloma, in particular, was delightful. These kids got me wholly invested in rooting for this school. I highly recommend seeking this one out. 

— 4 / 5 ⭐