El estudiante (2009)

Memorable, crazy movie

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

For the first reviewer: I would like to say that yes, maybe in Mexico we don't have the experience of Hollywood, the best directors or writers, but I think it's a lot most important to consider before such other characteristics form the movie like the message and with that, what impact it will have on the society, and those are the best cualities from this film. Maybe I don't know a lot about acting, or movies but one thing I know is that you can not say this is a bad movie, generally talking, when in my country it is consider by many as the best Mexican movie ever made, and it was liked by many other people in America (and by saying America I am talking about the whole continent, not just United States), and other Spanish talking countries, so it doesn't matter how much you know and can review about movies, you can't go against the opinion of the mayority, unleast they are mistaken, what I think it's not the case, so I would like you to think about not saying the whole movie is bad for those detalis, instead saying it's considered a great movie by many, but it has those deficiencies. Thank you Pd: I apologize about my bad English, but as I said my First language is Spanish.

This movie lets us see that learning has no age limit. The older generations learn from the younger and vice versa. Chano learned to be opened minded and to handle new technology while reminding a group of students the importance of romance and values. The main message of this movie is to not forget our values, that we should always respect one another and that the old romance ways don't age. Friendship is a strong point in this movie and we learn that it has no age limit. When Chano's younger friends see his suffering, they want to be there for him.This movie was filmed in Guanajuato and I really enjoyed watching the scenery and the culture of the town.

Highly recommended by some people I really respect I went to see this movie. The main argument behind the recommendation was "the message" this movie delivers. After 90 minutes of excruciating pain, I can tell you: the message are bad news. This movie takes back Mexican Cinema more than 40 years - at least- and it looks like the movie was made right in the 60's, along with some Mexican Marga Lopez' classics such as La Edad de la Inocencia or La sombra de los hijos. With a cast of unknown actors -just three recognizable faces - and a generic soapy theme, it is pretty hard to expect great deliverance and quality in acting, yet the amateurish use of cameras and obvious lack of direction results in a total fiasco. However, the main problem here is the screenplay that reduces Don Quixote novel to mere phrases or quotes recited with childish style by the actors. The interaction between the old character and his much younger counterparts is never truly developed and ends up being totally unreal and not believable - not to mention the lack of modern language that clearly sets this movie as an anachronism. Trust me there is no college educated Mexican young person who speaks like the characters or who does not know Jose Alfredo Jimenez - for Christ sake , being Mexican and not knowing him is a blasphemy !!Probably the decision of not including crude language has to do with the intention of creating a "family movie with high values", well if that was the intention, the result is a pamphlet or a brochure ...mere propaganda, and as you know...propaganda is no good.On the other hand if the goal was to make a movie about bonding, friendship and the continuous learning despite the generations gap, they may had take some lessons from other sources. Grand Torino or UP rings a bell, don't they ???

This is a very nice and refreshing film. I like it because there is no need to talk about the wrong things to attract the public. Mexico is a wonderful place to live, plenty of values.The main attraction in this film is the everyday life which can be enjoyed if only you can see from certain perspective. Love, solidarity, hope are great values This film changes a little bit the parameters: in this case when the freshman at the University is an old man who follows his dreams and get into the University. He learns and teaches at the same time.Don Quixote and Guanajuato. Love and hopes seems not to be a coincidence to be blended in this film, is how it is in real life.This is a Universal film that I think will be remembered and awarded.Nice photograph, music, script, acting, message, a round film, perhaps little bit exaggerated.Last but not the least the location. It was filmed at the beloved city of Guanajuato. I lived there for several years and the colonial and world heritage city, is a silent and beautiful actress of the film where a lot of details are captured, so as the beautiful jacaranda flowers.In brief, it's a beautiful and highly recommended film.----------------------------------------------------Message to the Mexican film makers: No need to deploy our mistakes there is a lot of chances in our virtues. Congratulations for this novel director for doing so.