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Lean on Me (1989)

 -  Action | Drama  -  3 March 1989 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 10,411 users  
Reviews: 67 user | 9 critic

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

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Title: Lean on Me (1989)

Lean on Me (1989) on IMDb 7.1/10

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4 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Ms. Levias
...
Alan North ...
...
...
...
...
Mr. Rosenberg
Sandra Reaves-Phillips ...
Mrs. Powers
Sloane Shelton ...
Mrs. Hamilton
Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins ...
...
Kaneesha Carter
...
Maria
...
Mrs. Santos
...
Mrs. Carter
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Storyline

An arrogant and unorthodox teacher returns as principal to the idyllic high school from which he had earlier been fired to find it a den of drug abuse, gang violence, and urban despair. Eventually his successful but unorthodox methods lead to a clash with city officials that threatens to undo all his efforts. Based on a true story. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

They called him crazy for padlocking the doors, and for changing all the rules. But Joe Clark was crazy about one thing only: the students who loved him. See more »

Genres:

Action | Drama

Certificate:

PG-13 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

3 March 1989 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Apóyate en mi  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Gross:

$31,906,454 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In the auditorium scene where Morgan Freeman's character expels the students on stage, a young Michael Imperioli of The Sopranos can be seen behind him. See more »

Goofs

The practice exam booklet reads "New Jersey Minimun Basic Skills Tests"...probably the last place the school board (or the film's producers) would want a spelling error. See more »

Quotes

Joe Clark: [at lunch, in the cafeteria, Clark has singled out Sams] ... I want all of you to take a good look at this slovenly, sloppy boy - as an example of how NOT to dress. If you look like THIS in the morning, find some other clothes to wear. Self-respect permeates every aspect of your existence. If you don't have respect for yourself, you're not gonna get it from anyone else.
See more »

Connections

Spoofed in High School High (1996) See more »

Soundtracks

"I AIN'T MAKIN' IT"
Performed by Stetsasonic
Produced by Daddy-O and DBC
Courtesy of Tommy Boy Records
Written by Arnold Hamilton, Bob Coulter and Glenn Bolton
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Morgan Freeman at his best
27 May 2002 | by (USA) – See all my reviews

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. Rating 10.5 out of 10. (Best Acting in a Movie)


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Joe Clarke's previous school ben-1047
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Clark was too much of a sour a-hole oscarflix
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