Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment present an R rated, approximately 90 minute film directed by Jon Poll and starring Anton Yelchin (Charlie Bartlett), Robert Downey Jr. (Principal Gardner), Kat Dennings (Susan Gardner), Tyler Hilton (Murphey Bivens), Hope Davis (Marilyn Bartlett) with Ishan Dave' (Henry Freemont), Megan Park (Whitney Drummond), Jonathan Malen (Jordan Sunder), Jake Epstein (Dustin Lauderbach), David Brown (Officer Hansen), Derek McGrath (Superintendent Sedgwick), Mark Rendall (Kip Crombwell), Dylan Taylor (Len Arbuckle) and Stephen Young (Dr. Weathers).
Is popularity a state of mind? For Charlie Bartlett, popularity in high school meant it all. He dreamed of being cheered on stage in front of hundreds of his classmates. In our years of high school some believe there is more to it than being liked but for Charlie, a rich kid that gets expelled from his high class schools, being the center of attention is the bomb! Fitting in with classmates was not so much of the problem for Charlie since that of illegal acts was his middle name. Where there's a will there's a way and Charlie's will to fit in was higher than a child on Ritalin.
When he arrives at Western Summit High School in jacket, slacks and carrying a brief he of course stands out, to the Principal, superbly played by Downey Jr., but also his daughter, Susan, and the high school bully, Murphey, who soon introduces Charlie to the tidy bowl man. Not only did the Principal of the school lack respect from his students but Charlie, the new kid, did too. That is until once again Charlie finds a way to fit in by initiating Murphey as a partner in crime along with the help of Charlie's new friend, Len, from the short bus. Len, of course adding several moments of laughter and levity to several scenes at the expense of someone less fortunate. But of course that seems to be the American way in most high schools filled with peer pressure by the jocks, bullies, and even the geeks.
What would a teen movie be all about if the lead character didn't lose his virginity at the age of 17, to the Principal's daughter, Susan. This film although a bit cliché definitely contains moments of originality. As Charlie struggles with his past and present, a mother that has no concept of discipline, a father in Lansdown State Penitentiary, and the blossoming love interest of the Principals daughter he still finds a way to fit in at high school. This time abusing the psychiatric society to furnish students at school with prescription drugs to escape their unwanted realities of life. Eventually causing one student, Kip, to attempt suicide as a way to escape his own troubles. At ten dollars a pill with the help of Charlie's new pal Murphey, they both have become profitable business partners at the expense of others. Charlie even becomes the new therapist to help his classmates, taking up sessions in the boys restroom to help others find their way out of the dark and into the light. Are today's children the result of their parents mistakes?
But lessons are learned in this wonderfully directed, scored and written comedic drama about life in high school. Maybe a bit more drama than comedy but either way well adapted. Popularity is important to many but it is what you do with it and what you do in life that truly matters. Overall, hell comes with your own locker, leading the way to closure and a new path for many filled with an education and acceptance that change is ultimately a way of life. "Would you like to talk about it"? Words that will forever be spoken from the lips of one rich kid out to make a difference.
This intelligent film will appeal to a certain demographic but it may get lost in the minds of the young and passed over by the adults as a kids flick. Besides many moments that may be well above the norm in this "Ferris Bueller", "Breakfast Club" similar knock off, the film is actually quite enjoyable with only a few scenes that may seem a bit slacking. Yelchin, did a great job in portraying his character as the rebel with a hidden cause. Downey Jr. as a past history teacher, now Principal, with no respect let alone popularity from his students was wonderful to watch on the screen as he dealt with many inner demons. Dennings, Hilton, Davis and the other members of the cast helped bring this film to life, reflecting on the good old days of high school long gone but never forgotten. Even though I never did use Algebra after high school, I did learn many lessons about life, work and love but most important about my own, Charlie Bartlett.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.