Fresh
Avildsen's enthusiastic direction gives Lean on Me a heartwarming, feel-good tone that is accessible beyond the environs of its subject.
Jane Galbraith, Variety
Lean On Me
Eastside High was out of control...until Joe Clark took it back.
1989 · 1h 48m · PG-13
Drama
Directed by
John G. Avildsen
Overview
When principal Joe Clark takes over decaying Eastside High School, he's faced with students wearing gang colors and graffiti-covered walls. Determined to do anything he must to turn the school around, he expels suspected drug dealers, padlocks doors and demands effort and results from students, staff and parents. Autocratic to a fault, this real-life educator put it all on the line.
Director and cast
- John G. Avildsen Director
- Morgan Freeman as Principal Joe Clark
- Beverly Todd as Ms. Levias
- Robert Guillaume as Dr. Frank Napier
- Ethan Phillips as Mr. Rosenberg
- Lynne Thigpen as Leonna Barrett
- Michael Beach as Mr. Darnell
- Tony Todd as Mr. William Wright
- Karen Malina White as Kaneesha Carter
- Alan North as Mayor Don Bottman
- Robin Bartlett as Mrs. Elliott
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
71%
Tomatometer
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IMDb
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Rotten Tomatoes
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Metacritic
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