7.4/10
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Lean on Me (1989)

PG-13 | | Drama | 3 March 1989 (USA)
Lean on Me Poster
The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school and he is determined to improve by any and all means.

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ON DISC
3 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Principal Joe Clark
... Ms. Levias
... Dr. Frank Napier
... Mayor Don Bottman
... Leonna Barrett
... Mrs. Elliott
... Mr. Darnell
... Mr. Rosenberg
... Mrs. Powers
Sloane Shelton ... Mrs. Hamilton
Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins ... Thomas Sams
... 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

Plot Keywords:

police arrest | fired from the job | inner city | dedicated teacher | african american | See All (23) »

Taglines:

Eastside High was out of control...until Joe Clark took it back. See more »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

PG-13 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

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Language:

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Release Date:

3 March 1989 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Apóyate en mí  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,000,000, 5 March 1989, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$31,906,454
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Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Beverly Todd, who portrays Vice Principal Levias in this film, also worked with Morgan Freeman in The Bucket List (2007), portraying his character's wife. See more »

Goofs

When the superintendent is discussing who to hire as the principal with the Mayor, the Mayor asks "What was last year's score?". The Superintendent answers "38%". Later, when Joe leaves the stage after expelling the bad students, there is a chart that shows that last year's score was 30%. See more »

Quotes

Joe Clark: [to the Eastside students who have gathered outside City Hall to demonstrate on his behalf] Wow... Somebody tell me why I can't get this kind of turnout for study hall!
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Connections

Referenced in 30 Rock: Plan B (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

ALL THE WAY TO LOVE
Performed by Siedah Garrett
Produced by Glen Ballard, Brooks Arthur and Michael Schiffer
Courtesy of Qwest Records
Written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett
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User Reviews

'Lean on Me' doesn't need any helping hand
3 January 2003 | by – See all my reviews

****

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, and Robert Guillaume.

A man is assigned principle of a broken-down inner-city school. Nobody thinks he will last there. But, Joe isn't going to take that and will try his best to improve that school.

This movie should've gotten Academy Award nods. Freeman's performance alone was unbelieveable. It should've been nominated for Actor and Picture.

Overall the movie is a fantastic film and shows the true story of Joe Clark.
15 of 22 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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