Common Sense Note
Parents should know that this true story of one teacher's crusade to reform a violent high school has many inspiring moments, but the lead character's tactics are often questionable. Kids will hear lots of profanity, heavy use of racial epthets and other humiliating language, often aimed at teen characters by adults.
Families who see this movie might discuss the advantages and limitations of using films to dramatize real stories. Can movies tell a real-life story in ways that other media, such as books or radio, can't? Where do they fall short? For example, are the conversations dramatized onscreen what was really said? Can you trust that everything you see onscreen really happened? What might filmmakers change in order to make a story more engaging or dramatic?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Polly M. Robertus
This high-energy true story with terrific performances will hold viewers' attention, although its mixed messages are distracting -- as is the movie's after school special look.
This true story of one teacher's crusade to reform a violent high school has many inspiring moments, but the lead character's tactics are often questionable. Mature teens will enjoy a thought-provoking experience, but the movie stresses the protagonist's combative nature at the expense of his worthwhile message about learning.
Firebrand teacher Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) is called in to reform Eastside High in Paterson, NJ. He finds a graffiti-encrusted den of drug dealing and violence. Adopting a take-no-prisoners approach to clean things up, Clark runs afoul of community members and exposes himself to legal action.
Students respond to Clark's efforts, but his overbearing manner with fellow teachers is often humiliating. A crisis with the law and community leaders coincides with the release of test scores that vindicate Clark's radical methods.
Morgan Freeman is dazzling as Joe Clark, a temperamental character who veers wildly between bully and buddy. One 15-year-old viewer was engrossed, but admitted he was disturbed by Clark's threatening behavior toward a student. And that's the problem with this movie: it's compelling watching, but any inspiration is compromised by discomfort when Clark's behavior seems as out-of-control as the school he's trying to reform.
The real Joe Clark, an ex-Army drill instructor, took over Eastside High in 1983. Things were a violent mess, but within two years New Jersey's governor was declaring Eastside a model school. Clark's success is uncontested, but his roughshod methods of discipline were controversial even then.
In the movie, Clark's worst temperamental excesses are directed -- often unfairly -- at adults he blames for the mess he's been sent to clean up.
LEAN ON ME would be improved by showcasing fewer temper tantrums and more scenes of learning (like the one in which a cafeteria aide doesn't notice a fire being extinguished nearby because she's so wrapped up in her textbook). Also, the subplot involving a star student's sudden expulsion from home is puzzling, and the resolution of her pregnancy isn't spelled out.
This movie is as much about a difficult, grandstanding idealist as it is the story of Eastside High. Better films about real-life high-school drama abound. Try Coach Carter and Hoop Dreams. For more uplifting fare from director John Avildsen, check out The Karate Kid.
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Sexual ContentTeen pregnancy. |
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ViolenceNone gratuitous, but plenty of fighting. |
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LanguageLots of profanity, though the principal's humiliating language is often worse than swearing. Heavy use of racial epithets. |
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Social BehaviorThe protagonist uses intimidation as much as inspiration to motivate his students. |
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