IMDb > Lean on Me (1989)
Lean on Me
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Lean on Me (1989) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   6,573 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 27% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
John G. Avildsen
Writer (WGA):
Michael Schiffer (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Lean on Me on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 March 1989 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
A true story about a real hero. more
Plot:
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 synopsis
Awards:
3 wins & 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
Released: Track Listing for Glee: The Music Vol. 2
 (From TVfanatic. 4 November 2009, 2:09 PM, PST)

Holiday Preview: Anywhere But a Movie Theater
 (From IFC. 4 November 2009, 11:14 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Morgan Freeman Dominates the Action From Start to Finish more (62 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
108 min
Country:
USA
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Filming Locations:
Paterson, New Jersey, USA more

Fun Stuff

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. more
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. more
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!
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Resident Alien (1990) more
Soundtrack:
EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
5 out of 8 people found the following comment useful.
Morgan Freeman Dominates the Action From Start to Finish, 25 November 2000
Author: tfrizzell from United States

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.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Lean on Me (1989)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Was this movie good? Plaid_Blood
Funniest line in the movie? patrickhartley32
The True Storry... Fox-Mask
movie vs real life - possible spoiler gfnoyes
Cast member cksprod1
Clark was too much of a sour a-hole oscarflix
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