Critical Thinking

Directed by John Leguizamo, Critical Thinking is a heartwarming, inspiring drama film released in 2020 based on a true story. The film stars John Leguizamo, Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, and a host of other talented actors who bring the story to life onscreen.

At its core, Critical Thinking is set in 1998, and is a story about teamwork, resilience, determination, and the power of mentorships. It chronicles the journey of five students from Miami Jackson High School who, under the guidance of a dedicated teacher, strive to defy the odds and carve a niche for themselves in an arena often devoid of students from disenfranchised backgrounds.

John Leguizamo plays Mario Martinez, a passionate teacher at the Miami Jackson High School, an under-resourced public school that carries the weight of a challenging socio-economic reality. Despite being perpetually at odds with the rigid, often disconcerting, infrastructure of the educational system, Martinez holds an unwavering belief in the potential of his students. His persistence in the face of adversity is both inspiring and deeply moving.

Rachel Bay Jones features as Principal Leavy, an education professional tasked with the daunting responsibility of managing a struggling school. Michael Kenneth Williams gives a powerful performance as Mr. Roundtree, another teacher in the school facing his set of obstacles. Jones and Williams' performances convey the difficult conflict between the aspirations for their students and the limitations imposed by administration and society.

The young actors who play the students, including Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Will Hochman, Corwin C. Tuggles, Jeffry Batista, and Ramses Jimenez, deliver performances that are honest, raw, and profoundly relatable. These characters, despite their personal travails and the turmoil in their domestic lives, display an enviable spirit of resilience. They find an outlet and a beacon of hope in the game of chess, finding in it not just an intellectual challenge, but a metaphor for life itself.

Leguizamo, in his role as both the director and lead actor, does a commendable job in authentically portraying the multi-dimensional challenges faced by both teachers and students in an underfunded school. There is a particular focus on the culture of low expectations, bred by systemic boundaries, and how the determination of a single teacher can prove to be a game-changer.

Critical Thinking is as much a film about chess as it is about life, making the high-stakes game a stepping-stone to broader conversations about socio-economic disadvantages, racial bias, and the power of education. The film shows how the game of chess serves as a means for these students to escape their challenging circumstances, if only momentarily, and lead them to think strategically about their futures.

The film brings to the fore the transformative power of belief and high expectations in nurturing the hidden potentials of young individuals, especially those thrust into adverse life conditions. It surges ahead with the assertion of mentorship being instrumental in kindling hope in seemingly hopeless circumstances.

In terms of technicalities, the backdrop of Miami during the late 90s is captured authentically, and the atmosphere of a committed classroom is well portrayed. The screenplay makes the audience navigate through the compelling complexities of both urban education and one of the world's oldest games. The dialogue is witty and engaging, the cinematography captures the essence of the story, and the soundtrack serves to propel the story forward.

Critical Thinking ultimately is an underdog tale of overcoming odds. It is a poignant narrative that strikes a chord with anyone who passionately believes in the power of education to change lives. From its well-written characters and powerful performances to its inspiring storyline, Critical Thinking delivers a resonant message about the impacts of social structures, the importance of aspirations, and the potential inherent in the apparently most unlikely of places.