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Why is
it that movies based around kids in high school tend
to be so hit or miss? For instance, I adore
Dazed And Confused and Superbad, but I
absolutely despise anything to do with American
Pie or spoofs like Not Another Teen Movie.
Is it the writing? Or the characters and how I
relate to them? Aren't they all just full of
goofy adventures? I have no idea. What I
do know though is that not matter what one of these
flicks always comes along and impresses
despite my doubts, which brings me to Charlie
Bartlett.
The story follows a teenager named Charlie (Anton
Yelchin) and his having to attend a public school
after getting kicked out of a private one for making
fake IDs for his fellow students. As should be
expected, there are some issues when he arrives and
encounters much angst from his non-mansion owning
classmates and a new principal (Robert Downing
Jr). But, with some quick thinking Charlie
turns things around when he starts holding
counseling sessions in the bathroom, selling
prescription drugs and dating the principal's
daughter (Kat Dennings). It's certainly an off-kilter
way of telling the dorky high school kid becomes
popular story, but the angle works in a myriad of
charming ways due to the stellar cast.
In fact, if it wasn't for said cast this film would
have left an unwanted and uninspired taste in my
mouth. Yelchin is simply fantastic as the
energetic, but troubled Charlie. The guy isn't
just a rich kid being rebellious (he has some other
issues that I won't spoil), so there is a certain
amount of depth that needs to be constantly
displayed, and it's all there by way of a casual, no
worries voice and body posture. Downing is, of
course, great as the principal who isn't fit to be
one because of a drinking problem and a
lackadaisical demeanor that causes his students to
not take him seriously. As for those students,
each one will inevitably bring back a memory or two
of someone you went to school whether it be a bully,
a cheerleader, a football jock, a loner or whoever
else. They're all there, and surprisingly none
of them feel forced or overplayed. As I said,
the cast is good.
Now, while I don't expect all of you to like this
film I do recommend that you give it a shot if
you're sitting around the house and want to go out
to catch something at the theater. Hell,
attend a matinee if you're feeling doubtful. I
don't think you'll be disappointed with what is one
of my favorite little gems so far in 2008.
On a side note, I really wish people would stop
comparing this to Rushmore. Yeah,
that's a great film about an awkward kid in school,
but these are so wildly different that it isn't even
remotely a fair comparison. Do your best to
ignore those jokers. |
