Lean on Me (1989) * * *

Directed by:  John G. Avildsen

Starring:  Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume, Alan North, Lynne Thigpen, Robin Bartlett, Jermaine Hopkins

I preface this review by stating I wasn't a fan of the Joe Clark presented in this film.   Some of the other people in the movie feel the same way:   He is a tone-deaf, egotistical bully who demands respect without giving it and doesn't change much during the course of the movie.    Despite that, I loved watching Morgan Freeman jump into the role with passion and energy.    It is based on a true story, but something tells me the only similarity between the real Joe Clark, who did indeed turn around a struggling New Jersey high school, and this one is the name.   

The Joe Clark of this movie is tough to deal with, but at least the movie understands that and doesn't pretend he isn't.    One character calls him a bully and a despicable man, while another says he is thoughtless and cruel.  All of those descriptions are accurate, but Freeman makes him compellingly watchable.  We also are treated to a masterful scene in which Clark's superintendent boss (and likely his only friend on Earth) lays down the law with him as he makes enemies of the mayor, school board, and parents.  ("Contrary to popular opinion, I'm the head n***** in charge")   

When we first encounter Eastside High School, it is a cesspool of drugs, violence, terror, and despair.   The cafeteria is caged in with fences, and no learning of any consequence takes place.   Superintendent Dr. Napier (Guillaume) is faced with the real possibility of having the state take over the school if the students are unable to pass its year-end proficiency test scores.  My thoughts?  Let the state inherit this headache. But, then there wouldn't be a movie, so Napier calls on his old friend Joe Clark to become principal and whip the school into shape.  Clark has a history of defying authority and personal troubles, but Napier feels he is left with no alternative.   Clark is his Hail Mary pass. 

Clark behaves like a dictator towards the staff.   ("This is not a damned democracy and my word is law,"), but he does expel over 300 students who caused nothing but trouble in school and slowly but surely makes the place look more a high school and less like hell.    Clark suspends a loyal teacher who picks up a piece of trash off the ground during one of Clark's speeches.    He fires a music teacher who stands up to his tyranny.    The biggest mistake Lean on Me makes is trying to force us to sympathize with Clark.    He isn't one we can really root for, but he's still fascinating.    John G. Avildsen, who of course directed Rocky, applies the same theme here.   He treats the preparations for the state tests in almost the same manner as Rocky training for the title fight, and I can't say I was bored.    This has to be the goofiest, most ambivalent three-star review I've ever written.