Lean on me movie review

 Saravanan R

2022506120

Information Technology

Joe clark,the man who famously transformed a New Jersey high school, the protagonist of "Lean on Me". "Lean on Me" is not a factual account of the real Joe Clark's life. Instead, it's a work of fiction depicting a character who is deeply troubled, fixated, and filled with anger, leaving viewers uncertain about their opinions of him after watching the film.

Clark is played by  Morgan Freeman in a performance that is powerful and consistent and thus all the more troubling. Although he has taught in schools for more than 20 years, he never has really fit in anywhere. He has an unshakable belief in his own opinions, a disinterest in anyone else's, and a personality so abrasive it's no wonder his wife left him and he has only one friend.

"Lean on Me" begins by depicting Joe Clark's initial stint at a well-functioning Eastside High in the 1960s, where his conflict with the principal leads to his transfer. Fast forward 20 years, and we see Clark contentedly teaching in a good school in a pleasant neighborhood.

However, the focus soon shifts to the current state of Eastside High, now a deeply troubled, predominantly minority school plagued by violence, drug trade, and intimidation, with minimal emphasis on education. Director John Avildsen's portrayal of Eastside High is intense, almost exaggerated, as he strives to depict the school as a living hell, with corridors resembling scenes from both a prison riot and a Hells' Angels gathering.

Clearly, only one individual seems capable of addressing the dire situation at Eastside High, prompting the return of "Crazy" Joe Clark to the school.

Clark's initial move involves convening an all-school assembly, where he gathers the troublemakers and drug users onstage and expels them collectively. Subsequently, he embarks on a campaign throughout the school corridors, implementing his own brand of discipline. His actions include ordering the removal of graffiti and mandating that everyone learn the school song under the threat of expulsion, which seems reasonable to some extent.

However, Clark's methods take a troubling turn when he suspends a teacher for simply picking up a piece of scrap paper while he was speaking, an action deemed excessive. His behavior escalates as he publicly insults teachers in front of students and exhibits erratic and irrational conduct, resembling that of an autocratic dictator, which undermines his effectiveness as a leader.

Throughout the progression of the movie, it becomes increasingly evident that Joe Clark is deeply troubled. Viewers anticipate a transformation in his character, hoping for signs of growth, empathy, and respect for others' opinions. However, apart from a halfhearted apology, Clark remains unchanged.

He is portrayed as an arrogant bully, demanding unwavering obedience and exhibiting a dictatorial demeanor. While he succeeds in restoring order to Eastside High and enabling students to pass a state proficiency exam, the film fails to illustrate the methods employed in achieving these outcomes.

In contrast to "Stand and Deliver," which focuses on a dedicated Hispanic math teacher and emphasizes the teaching and learning process, "Lean on Me" primarily revolves around a disciplinary approach. One particularly bizarre scene features Clark leading a pre-exam pep rally, treating the test as if it were a sporting event. However, mere enthusiasm cannot ensure success on an exam, and it's doubtful that meaningful learning can thrive amidst Clark's regime of public humiliation. Discipline should not be synonymous with intimidation.