It seems strange to me... i am a high school student, yet almost all of my experiences of "high school" have come through hollywood stereotypes in high school films. i almost think that they should be their own seperate genre, somewhere between drama (for you know somewhere in their someones gunna cry about being a loner or peer preasure or something) comedy (cheap laughs are their bread and butter) and science fiction ( the high school in movies is an alien planet from where ive been) i wonder if at my high school reunion if im going to confuse the stories of my actual high school career with those of the silver screen. i sure hope so, the "average kids" up there live such more interesting lives.
With that cynicysm i went into Charlie Bartlett not expecting to hate it, but knowing full well that i wasnt going to get anything spectacular. They story of a rich highschool kid who transfers into public school and searches for his place in the universe of adolescence. the plot is not so much touching (but neither is high school) but a somewhat surreal and sped up take on what it takes to be the "cool kid" in school. he starts selling prescription ritalin then moves on to being a pharmacist for the kids then into counseling them. i liked the idea of the most popular kid in a high school being the one who was handing out phychological advice, but i thought it was a little lacking in convincing me that i should care.
the acting was fine, the only really standout performance was from Robert Downey Jr. (whom i didnt even know was in it when i entered the theatre) who played the only real 3 dimensional character. a troubled father/principal with a dry wit and a taste for the fire water.
the movie wasn't bad by any means, well worth the $9, but i feel that if i go to see a movie about highschool kids , the most overdone plot idea in existence and they get it to be a decent movie that is almost worse than a huge flop. if the movie is great thats awesome! Take for instance the indie flick Brick, a film noir set in a highschool. but if its bad it atleast gives us something to laugh about... Drive me Crazy, shes all that... every other 90's movie. but of what use is a mediocre teen comedy? it is a hit or miss for me,
If you want to see a decent film yes this is for you, but if you dont want to see something great.... yea i wouldnt look here... try Amanda Bynes in What a Girl Wants.... o wait nevermind