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Lean on Me (1989)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
3 March 1989 (USA) moreTagline:
A true story about a real hero. morePlot:
The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school that he is determined to improve. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
3 wins & 3 nominations moreUser Comments:
strong acting helps overcome the familiarity of the material moreUS TV Schedule:
| Wed. July 29 | 7:30 PM | BET |
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
108 minCountry:
USAColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Iceland:12 | Iceland:L (video rating) | Singapore:NC-16 | Norway:15 | USA:PG-13 | Australia:PGFun Stuff
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. moreGoofs:
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. moreQuotes:
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! moreSoundtrack:
LEAN ON ME moreFAQ
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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. ***