Lean on Me (1989)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

John G. Avildsen

Writer (WGA):

Michael Schiffer (written by)

Release Date:

3 March 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A true story about a real hero.

Plot:

The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school that he is determined to improve.

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | High School | Violence | Gang | Urban

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Morgan Freeman	...	Principal Joe Clark
Beverly Todd	...	Ms. Levias
Robert Guillaume	...	Dr. Frank Napier
Alan North	...	Mayor Don Bottman
Lynne Thigpen	...	Leonna Barrett
Robin Bartlett	...	Mrs. Elliott
Michael Beach	...	Mr. Darnell
Ethan Phillips	...	Mr. Rosenberg
Sandra Reaves-Phillips	...	Mrs. Powers
Sloane Shelton	...	Mrs. Hamilton
Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins	...	Thomas Sams
Karen Malina White	...	Kaneesha Carter
Karina Arroyave	...	Maria
Ivonne Coll	...	Mrs. Santos
Regina Taylor	...	Mrs. Carter

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish | Portuguese

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Iceland:L (video rating) | Singapore:NC-16 | Norway:15 | USA:PG-13 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Paterson, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

In real life, there was never any threat of a state takeover of Eastside High.

Goofs:

Continuity: Maria's hair between shots when Clark is somewhat berating Mrs. Powers over the way she taught the school song to the "song birds".

Quotes:

Thomas Sams: Hey, Mr. Clark, what did they get you for?
Ms. Levias: What's the charge? What's this all about?
Leonna Barrett: It's about someone finally stood up to this man, instead of taking his orders like a maid.
Ms. Levias: How dare you speak about people like that? Who do you think you are?
Joe Clark: Mrs. Barrett, if you think you can...
Leonna Barrett: Shut up! You're finished!
[holds up the tape recorder]
Leonna Barrett: The school board's going to hear this at 7:00, and we are going to vote your black ass out!
Thomas Sams: Yo, witch! Vote on THIS!
[gestures angrily]
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Batman (1989)

Soundtrack:

YOU ARE THE ONE

Despite a shaky script, Morgan Freeman gives a terrific performance in an intense, challenging role

Lean on Me is based around the experiences of Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman), who becomes the principal of a destitute New Jersey high school plagued with violence, drugs, and abysmal academic performance. Clark is given the daunting task of bringing student's test scores up to the minimum acceptable level within one school year or the school will be taken over by the state.

Clark is fiercely strict and demanding towards both his students and teachers. This makes him the target of countless parents, board members, civil servants, and other teachers determined to bring him and his radical new style down. Despite outside resistance Clark becomes a pillar of hope for numerous students inspired by his harsh but ultimately uplifting demands for disciple, self betterment, and loyalty to their school and educational achievement.

What sets Lean on Me apart from numerous other sentimental inspirational flicks is the unconventional style of Clark and Morgan Freeman's masterful portrayal of him. Yes this is the drill sergeant of miracle workers if ever there was one. From tone to mannerisms Joe Clark is given a distinctive ambiance, Morgan Freemen IS the dominating force behind this entire film.

And this is where the film stumbles somewhat. None of the supporting characters are given enough development to really set them apart as individuals. The closest we get is with a bright young girl trying her best to succeed at school despite numerous domestic problems at home. She is won over by Clark almost immediately coming to view him as a mentor/father figure. The problem is that her subplot like the others becomes neglected in the latter half of the film and is never given enough meaningful resolution to make the final scenes believable. Its like going from point A to point C while ignoring B.

I also question the wisdom in using an imaginary plot point (the supposed school take over) and exaggerating the level of the student's academic improvement. It cheapens the genuine accomplishments of the school and clashes with the hard-edged momentum of Joe Clark. The story is worthy in of itself and didn't benefit from being exaggerated for dramatics.

Lean on Me clearly could have been much more than what it is. But faults aside I would still highly recommend it to see Freeman's Oscar worthy performance.