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

US TV Schedule:

Wed. July 29

7:30 PM

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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:

The real-life Joe Clark resigned as principal of Eastside High School the year after this film was released. He became an author and motivational speaker. In August 1995, he was hired to run a juvenile detention center in Newark, New Jersey.

Goofs:

Factual errors: 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.

Quotes:

Joe Clark: Mr. Major, on behalf of myself and on behalf the students of Eastside High, you can tell the State to go to hell!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Mean Girls (2004)

Soundtrack:

LEAN ON ME

strong acting helps overcome the familiarity of the material

Freeman is perfectly cast as Joe Clark, a newly appointed principal at a deteriorating, gang-ridden school who gets through to his students with a tough, opinionated, no-nonsense approach to the pursuit of academic excellence. The odds are stacked against him as the education board threatens to shut down East Side High School, but with his burning desire, devoted staff and administration, and some bright students who actually want to succeed, he rallies them for what will be the final chance for the school to remain open. Based on a true story the premise is familiar and the script has its ups and downs, but it's meaningful and acted with strength and conviction, especially Freeman who is nothing short of superb. ***