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IMDbPro

Lean on Me

  • 19891989
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,229
2,672
Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
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.
Play trailer1:31
1 Video
50 Photos
Drama
The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,229
2,672
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Michael Schiffer
    • Stars
      • Morgan Freeman
      • Beverly Todd
      • Robert Guillaume
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Michael Schiffer
    • Stars
      • Morgan Freeman
      • Beverly Todd
      • Robert Guillaume
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 94User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Official Trailer

    Photos50

    Morgan Freeman and Joe Clark in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman, Michael Best, Stephen Capers Jr., Dwayne Jones, and Kenneth Kelly in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman and Karen Malina White in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman and Joe Clark in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    John G. Avildsen (right) and Morgan Freeman (left) on the set of "Lean on Me".
    Morgan Freeman, Michael Best, Stephen Capers Jr., Jermaine Hopkins, Dwayne Jones, and Kenneth Kelly at an event for Lean on Me (1989)
    1 sheet movie poster
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Morgan Freeman
    Morgan Freeman
    • Principal Joe Clark
    Beverly Todd
    Beverly Todd
    • Ms. Levias
    Robert Guillaume
    Robert Guillaume
    • Dr. Frank Napier
    Alan North
    Alan North
    • Mayor Don Bottman
    Lynne Thigpen
    Lynne Thigpen
    • Leonna Barrett
    Robin Bartlett
    Robin Bartlett
    • Mrs. Elliott
    Michael Beach
    Michael Beach
    • Mr. Darnell
    Ethan Phillips
    Ethan Phillips
    • Mr. Rosenberg
    Sandra Reaves-Phillips
    Sandra Reaves-Phillips
    • Mrs. Powers
    Sloane Shelton
    Sloane Shelton
    • Mrs. Hamilton
    Jermaine Hopkins
    • Thomas Sams
    • (as Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins)
    Karen Malina White
    Karen Malina White
    • Kaneesha Carter
    Karina Arroyave
    Karina Arroyave
    • Maria
    Ivonne Coll
    Ivonne Coll
    • Mrs. Santos
    Regina Taylor
    Regina Taylor
    • Mrs. Carter
    Michael P. Moran
    • Mr. O'Malley
    John Ring
    • Fire Chief Gaines
    Tyrone Jackson
    Tyrone Jackson
    • Clarence
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Michael Schiffer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real-life Joe Clark resigned as principal of Eastside High School shortly after the film was released. Around the time the film debuted, he was suspended by the school board for one week, after scheduling an assembly in which dancers stripped down to their G-strings. Clark said he hadn't known about it in advance. Ironically, the man who suspended him was Dr. Frank Napier. After Clark left Eastside, he became an author, and motivational speaker. In 1995, he was hired to run a juvenile detention center in Newark, New Jersey, a position he held until he resigned in 2002. During his time there, he once again came under fire for his controversial methods.
    • Goofs
      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: I'll tell you what I do see here...

      Ms. Levias: No! I'm talking now! Let me finish! Everybody here may not like you as a person, but we all applaud your efforts. But what you don't understand is the same people that support you are the ones you're beating up! You don't even take the time to say 'Thank you. Job well done'. Nothing! You just step on their necks! Constantly abuse them!

      Joe Clark: Ms. Levias...

      Ms. Levias: Criticize them!

      Joe Clark: What do you want from me?

      [Faces her]

      Joe Clark: What the HELL do you want?

      Ms. Levias: I want you to get this straight! Most of the teachers here are here because they care! About those children out there! This school, this fight, they are in it with you! They take it home at night, the same as you! They are a part of those children's lives! You are thoughtless and cruel, and it hurts! And none of them deserve it! They are sick of it, and so am I!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: New York Stories/Farewell to the King/Lean on Me/Out Cold (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Lean on Me
      Performed by Thelma Houston and The Winans
      Produced by Richard Perry
      Courtesy of Qwest Records
      Written by Bill Withers

    User reviews94

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    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.
    helpful•8
    3
    • tfrizzell
    • Nov 25, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Der knallharte Prinzipal
    • Filming locations
      • The Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • Norman Twain Productions
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $31,906,454
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,032,605
      • Mar 5, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $31,906,454
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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