Chess is the great equalizer|Dec. 18, 2020|United States|117 Min.|R
Genre: Adventure;Crime;Drama;Family;Kids;Music;Reality
Description: **Critical Thinking 2020: A True Story of Resilience and Triumph**
Set in 1998, *Critical Thinking* is inspired by the true story of Mario Martinez, a Cuban-American teacher affectionately known as Mr. T, and his remarkable chess club at Miami Jackson High School. The film follows a diverse group of students, including Sedrick, an African-American teenager from a single-parent household who discovers a passion for chess. Alongside him are Ito, a hardworking student balancing school and a job, Rodelay, the class clown, and Gil, a student of Spanish descent.
Mr. T faces significant challenges, including opposition from Principal Kestel, who views the chess club as a gathering of academic misfits and threatens to cut its funding in favor of the school’s football team. Undeterred, Mr. T uses his personal savings to cover the registration fees for the regional competition.
As the story unfolds, the students navigate personal struggles. Sedrick’s father dismisses his chess achievements, urging him to focus on his future instead. Ito loses his job and is forced to leave home, leading him to quit the team. The remaining members, determined to compete in the state championship, must find a way to raise funds and convince Ito to rejoin.
Their journey is further complicated when they face police questioning over a murder involving their friend Andre. Meanwhile, Ito, struggling financially, is lured into illegal activities due to his mathematical skills. Despite these obstacles, the team raises money by washing cars and recruits a new member, Marcel, nicknamed Duchamp by Mr. T.
In a dramatic turn of events, Ito changes his mind and joins the team for the state tournament. Their perseverance pays off when they narrowly qualify for the nationals, thanks to Ito’s risky but bold move during a chess match. However, Ito’s life remains in turmoil as he faces threats from a drug dealer preventing him from leaving his criminal involvement behind.
*Critical Thinking* is a compelling tale of determination, teamwork, and the transformative power of education, showcasing how a group of underdogs overcomes adversity to achieve greatness.
Cast director: John Leguizamo
Cast actor: John Leguizamo, Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, Corwin C. Tuggles, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Will Hochman, Jeffry Batista, Zora Casebere, Ramses Jimenez
Original name: Critical Thinking