 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Lean on Me
- Review Date: October 6, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 1989
Common Sense Media says
Inspirational movie about a controversial teacher.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to 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.
What's the story?
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. In LEAN ON ME, 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.
Is it any good?
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. 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. Freeman is dazzling as the temerpamental Clark, veering wildly between bully and buddy. And that's the problem with this movie: it's compelling watching, but inspiration turns to discomfort when Clark's behavior seems as out-of-control as the school he's trying to reform.
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. Also, the subplot involving a star student's sudden expulsion from home is puzzling, and the resolution of her pregnancy isn't spelled out.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about 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?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 14 years old
March 3, 2010
AGE
there were disturbing images of violence but i luv the story!
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Great Movie
it is an amazing movie and i love the story plot
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Teen, 17 years old
November 20, 2011
AGE
Awesome movie!
Strong profanity. G-d-mn and b--ch are the strongest terms. Also, there is drug and sexual refrences. Me and my family have a DVD Player called Clearplay that takes out nudity, profanity, and other innapropriate scenes and words. It allows me and my family to enjoy movies more without the nudity and profanity and other things. I srtongly recommend it to those who hate profanity useage and other innapropriate terms and movies.
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Kid, 10 years old
January 29, 2011
AGE
Sometimes inappropriate but peaceful too.
Sniff. This is the most wonderful movie I've ever seen. Sniff. Sniff. Espeacially the song by Bill Withers. I wan't to cry.
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Teen, 13 years old
November 26, 2010
AGE
inspiring but edgy
This is an inspiring movie with great messagaes and it has a great cast. This a very suprising amount of languages and violence and drugs and alcohol so wait till there in their teens
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Teen, 14 years old
June 19, 2010
AGE
Gritty yet never a dull moment in it
Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors of all time; "Million Dollar Baby," "Invictus" and "Driving Miss Daisy" showcase his excellent talent, and the Academy must agree. He's been up for an Oscar 5 times and one once for "Baby." Why he wasn't nominated for "Lean on Me" blows my mind. He took control of the school and made sure everyone knew he was the head guy in charge (movie explains that.) Catch the TV-edited version.
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Teen, 13 years old
August 18, 2010
AGE
A GOOD MOVIE BUT NOT FOR YOUNGER KIDS
TWO THUMPS UP
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Parent of 13 year old
October 10, 2012
AGE
Morgan Freeman at his best
Morgan Freeman must be at his highest potential in this drama because he is excellent. He is excellent as Joe Clark, a principal at a high school who is trying to shape up his school and prepare them. He is wonderful as Joe Clark and he fills his character with so much heart that it is unbelieveable. He proved once again that he knows how to act and he should have won an oscar for his role. All of the actors and actresses are awesome in this. The direction and everything else is perfectly brought out.
Overall this movie has minor bits but everything else is perfect.
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Parent of 6 year old
September 5, 2012
AGE
lean me
Families can talk about 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?
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | John G. Avildsen |
| Cast: | Beverly Todd, Morgan Freeman, Robert Guillaume |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 109 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 3, 1989 |
| DVD release date: | September 20, 1993 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | Parents Strongly Cautioned |
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