* HarsherInHindsight: Mr. Escalante has a heart attack at one point in the movie, which may serve as this to some people after the real Jaime Escalante died.
* SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments: In 2010, it was revealed that the real Escalante did not have insurance to cover the chemo he would need to fight his thyroid cancer. Creator/EdwardJamesOlmos (among other cast members and some of Escalante's former actual students) stepped in and started a fund to help him pay for it. Sadly, he died in March of 2010.
* {{Narm}}:
** You can't help but be amused when Ramirez snaps and goes [[LargeHam all ham]].
** Escalante's "NO WAAAY!"
* NightmareFuel: The aforementioned heart attack scene, which is made worse considering how prolonged it is.
* TheWoobie: You can't help but feel bad for Angel [[spoiler:once Chuco abandons him.]]
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