Lean On Me Review

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Released: 1989

Lean On Me is a powerful drama based on the real life story of Joe Clark, a determined principal that was assigned to clean up Eastside High in Paterson, New Jersey, a school so ridden with crime, violence and failing scores that the State threatened to take it over. As with most movies based on real life stories, the Hollywood version is exaggerated and at times unrealistic, but such qualities do not make this movie any less compelling.

At one time Eastside High in Paterson, New Jersey was considered one of the finest schools in America. Fast-forward to 1987 and we see the inner city school has become a haven for thugs, gangsters and drug pushers. Schools that fail to see a 70% student passing percentage risk being taken over by the State, and Eastside High ranks a horrible 30%.

To reinforce the anarchistic nature of the school, we're privy to scenes of violence and chaos during the opening credits. Students are seen abusing and threatening cowering teachers. A group of black girls rip the shirt and the bra off a white girl for no reason other than to humiliate her. Fights break out everywhere you look, and when an unlucky teacher attempts to break one up he is mercilessly attacked and sent to the hospital. A fat kid is stuffed in a locker while a security guard just passes on by, ignoring his pleas for help. All the while Welcome to the Jungle from Guns N' Roses is playing in the background.

The Mayor Don Bottman (Alan North) is in a predicament, because if he does not find someone that can clean the school up and turn it around the State will take it over, which would be bad for his political career. No teachers are able or willing to risk becoming the new principal of that school except one: Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman).

Principal Joe Clark wastes no time verbally assailing the teachers that he believes are failing the students before moving on to calling a school gathering in the auditorium, at which point he publicly expels many dozens of kids that he believes to be bad influences to legitimate students. This bold maneuver creates a vindictive enemy in the form of Leonna Barrett (Lynne Thigpen), the mother of one of the thugs that was expelled.

The rest of Lean On Me shows us Clark's draconian rule over the school as he slowly instills pride and civility back into the student body. All the while Barrett is frothing at the mouth at the thought of taking down the man that insulted the irresponsible lifestyle of her and her boy.

Morgan Freeman was absolutely fantastic in his role as Joe Clark; he brought forth a maelstrom of rigid intensity that overwhelmed both his staff and the student body. The rest of the supporting cast also performed very admirably – each role, from the teachers right down to the students, was sincere and believable.

It's important to note that although Lean On Me is based on a real life story, there are certain actions taken within this film that the real life Joe Clark could never have possibly gotten away with. Although while watching the film we could cheer on the notion of expelling hundreds of students without cause on his first day at the job, it's entirely unbelievable. While Joe Clark was a rigid and tough individual, he could never have treated staff members the same way he was depicted as doing so in the film without having run seriously afoul of the teacher's union.

The exaggerated nature doesn't drag the film down – many would argue that it actually makes the Lean On Me a more exciting and interesting viewing experience. But one can't help but wonder if it would have been even more compelling had they portrayed Joe Clark a little closer to how he really was. The film leaves out important aspects of his character, such as his history as a military drill sergeant (which helps explains his authoritative manner more clearly).

In the end it really doesn't matter a whole lot just how accurate the movie's portrayal of the real life Joe Clark is because the film is inevitably judged on how enjoyable it is to watch. On that end, Lean On Me succeeds admirably, for it's an inspiring and triumphant drama.

Movie rating: 8 stars

If you enjoyed Lean On Me you may also find the following films to be of interest:

Enjoy the Lean On Me experience in the comfort of your own home with these products!

DVD

Soundtrack

Poster

Lean on Me
Buy this Original Poster at AllPosters.com

Movie Sitemap

Wondering if the Netflix service is all
it's cracked up to be? Read our
detailed review and find out!