Teaching is a profession that is often much maligned, and it’s usually only years after that you fully appreciated the challenging task they all face, to educate young minds.

And if you think back, you’ll always remember at least one – remember and be grateful to. One who captured your imagination or harnessed your curiosity for learning in a unique way. And as you read this, no doubt a name or two springs to mind, as to the teachers that made an impact on your own life.

This Mexican film pays homage to the profession, by focusing on one teacher who attempted to make a difference to a failing class.

Nestled on the Southern bank of the Rio Grande is Matamoros, a city that has seen better days, and one that struggles with the goings on of drug cartels.

It’s a new term at Jose Urbina Lopez Elementary school for a bunch of new sixth graders, but with one teacher down, headmaster Chucho (Daniel Haddad) has to find a replacement – quick.

Luckily for him, he manages the feat, with the arrival of Sergio (Eugenio Derbez). He takes over the new sixth graders, as they expect the same, minimal effort teaching practice that they’re used to.

But they are soon proved wrong, as Sergio soon shows them that he’s not a fan of the curriculum and tests, and what they’re about to witness is a true education.

So as you might have already gathered, this is like a crossover between Dangerous Minds and Good Will Hunting but for 12 year olds. The fact is however, that Kenyan-born director Christopher Zalla’s second film, that he also wrote, is based on a factual 2013 Wired article.

As it’s based on fact then it gives the film more credence. It’s also free from the usual Hollywood trappings to heighten the story, like an emotive, orchestrated soundtrack. It’s almost stripped back to the bare bones of it all, which is why it shines the way it does.

But as expected, it’s the performances that steal both hearts and the show, most notably from its younger cast. There is little sign of hamming it up for the camera, as they offer what feels to be genuine reactions to proceedings in the classroom.

And then there’s Derbez, who is almost like a grounded Robin Williams, but offers enough to show a unique side to him. His bromance with the headmaster is also endearing.

It’s a film where Zalla could have gone full on syrupy, especially having such a young cast at his disposal, but his more naturalistic approaches turns out to be just as powerful, giving it a credible emotional edge throughout.

It’s a wonderful tale of the importance of good teaching, how the right person can inspire young minds, and that not all children respond to traditional methods of education, all in all making it a great lesson to us all.