Lean on Me (1989)
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A radical new principal attempts to save a failing inner-city high school from state takeover through strict discipline and academic reform.
The story
In 1987, the once idyllic Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, has deteriorated due to drug use and rampant crime. The school faces being turned over to state administration unless 75% of the students pass a basic skills test. Mayor Don Bottman hires Joe Louis Clark, a former teacher, as the new principal. Known as "Crazy Joe," Clark implements radical changes, including expelling 300 students, instituting school spirit programs, and chaining the school doors for security. While his actions begin to improve student morale, they also spark significant conflict with parents and faculty.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1987, Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, is plagued by crime and drug use. To avoid state takeover, the school must achieve a 75% pass rate on the New Jersey Minimum Basic Skills Test. Mayor Don Bottman hires Joe Louis Clark, a former teacher, to lead the school. Clark takes a hardline approach, expelling 300 troublemakers, painting over graffiti, and chaining the school doors shut for safety. These actions win over some students, like Thomas Sams, but alienate parents and faculty, leading to suspensions and protests. Despite a failed practice test, Clark institutes a tutoring program and Saturday remedial courses. On test day, students are well-prepared, but Clark is arrested for fire safety violations after the doors are discovered chained. During a Board of Education meeting, the students demand Clark's release. He is freed and announces that over 75% of the students passed. Clark keeps his job, and the film ends with the senior class graduating.
- First release year
- 1989
- Runtime (minutes)
- 108
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John G. Avildsen
- Writers
- Michael Schiffer · writer
- Cast and characters
- Morgan Freeman; Beverly Todd; Robert Guillaume
- Genres
- biographical drama; coming-of-age drama
- Themes
- Education reform; Discipline; Community; Race and ethnicity; School violence
- Tone and mood
- Dramatic; Inspirational
- Setting
- Paterson, New Jersey, 1987
- Premise and plot tags
- Biographical; Drama; High School; Education
- Source material / true-story basis
- The story of Joe Louis Clark
- Content notes
- School violence
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but was well-received by audiences, who gave it an A+ rating on CinemaScore.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 71% · review count: 21; Metacritic · score: 58 · scale: 100 · review count: 13
- Awards and nominations
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture · NAACP Image Awards · 1989 · won; Outstanding Motion Picture · NAACP Image Awards · 1989 · won; Young Artist Award Best Motion Picture – Drama · Young Artist Awards · 1990 · nominated; Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Motion Picture · Young Artist Awards · 1990 · nominated; Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Motion Picture · Young Artist Awards · 1990 · nominated; Jackie Coogan Award · Young Artist Awards · 1990 · nominated
- Production trivia
- The title refers to the 1972 Bill Withers song of the same name.; Parts of the film, including the elementary school scenes, were filmed in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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