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 | Inner City | Violence | Test

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 the auditorium scene where Morgan Freeman's character expels the students on stage, a young Michael Imperioli of "The Sopranos" (1999) can be seen behind him.

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:

Mrs. Elliott: I would love to stay and chat, Mr. Clark, but I've a concert in New York in two weeks and I would like to be prepared.
Joe Clark: What?
Mrs. Elliott: Prepare. You do know what prepare means, don't you? It means ready, capable and up to your job.
Joe Clark: What concert, Mrs. Elliott?
Mrs. Elliott: The one at Lincoln Center. We do one every year.
Joe Clark: Until now. As of this moment, your little concert is cancelled.
Mrs. Elliott: What?
Joe Clark: CANCELLED! You do know what cancelled means, don't you? Called off! Terminated!
Mrs. Elliott: WHY? Those children have worked too hard!
Joe Clark: And for not telling me!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Resident Alien (1990)

Soundtrack:

EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER

Morgan Freeman Dominates the Action From Start to Finish

Good film about a high school principal in New Jersey (Morgan Freeman) who will stop at nothing to make the school the best it can be. This film is based on a true story, but it never does come through as well as it could have. Freeman dominates the action, but everyone else just seems to be going through the motions. A few people have their moments, but Freeman's dynamite performance overshadows everyone else. These are both the strong and weak points of "Lean on Me". John G. Avildsen once again proves that he has trouble with his direction. The screenplay though is the real culprit, as it is just not as smart and intriguing as it could have been. 3.5 out of 5 stars.