Lean on Me

1989

Lean on Me (1989)

TOMATOMETER

69%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

85%

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Movie Info

After earning rave notices for powerful supporting turns as a pimp in Street Smart (1987) and an alcohol abuse counselor in Clean and Sober (1988), actor Morgan Freeman began his ascent to stardom with this, his first lead role in a major motion picture. Freeman is real-life high school principal Joe Clark, a tough, harsh educator and administrator who in 1987 is given a nearly impossible task by his old friend, school superintendent Dr. Frank Napier (Robert Guillaume). Clark is asked to reform inner city Eastside High School in Paterson, NJ, a hotbed of delinquent kids and drug dealers. Considered the worst school in New Jersey, the state is threatening to take control of Eastside away from the local school board. If Clark can straighten out Eastside in time to get the school's basic-skills test scores up, he can have the job permanently. Although Clark's tyrannical approach and hard-line policies alienate many members of the staff and the community, his uncompromising campaign gets results and even makes him famous, much to the chagrin of his powerful enemies. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (adult situations/language, violence)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    John G. Avildsen
  • Written By:
    Michael Schiffer
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Warner Home Video

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Cast

Morgan Freeman
as Joe Clark
Beverly Todd
as Ms. Levias
Robert Guillaume
as Dr. Frank Napier
Alan North
as Mayor Don Bottman
Lynne Thigpen
as Leona Barrett
Robin Bartlett
as Mrs. Elliott
Jermaine Hopkins
as Thomas Sams
Karen Malina White
as Kaneesha Carter
Michael Beach
as Darnell
Ethan Phillips
as Rosenberg
Sloane Shelton
as Mrs. Hamilton
Regina Taylor
as Mrs. Carter
Sandra Reaves-Phillips
as Mrs. Powers
Karina Arroyave
as Maria
Ivonne Coll
as Mrs. Santos
Michael P. Moran
as Mr. O'Malley
John Ring
as Fire Chief Gaines
Tyrone Jackson
as Clarence
Alex Romaguera
as Kid Ray
Tony Todd
as Mr. Wright
Mike Starr
as Mr. Zirella
Yvette Hawkins
as Mrs. Arthur
Michael Joseph
as Brian Banes
Richard Grusin
as Mr. Danley
Jim Moody
as Mr. Lott
Todd Alexander
as Derrick
Michael Imperioli
as George
Marcella Lowery
as Mrs. Richards
Jennifer McComb
as Ellen
Knowl Johnson
as Tommy
Harry Madsen
as Teacher in Cafeteria
Heather Rose Dominic
as Stacey
Bruce Malmuth
as Burger Joint Manager
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News & Interviews for Lean on Me

Trailer Bulletin: Keeping Up With the Steins
Trailer Bulletin: Take the Lead
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Critic Reviews for Lean on Me

All Critics (16) | Top Critics (2)

Avildsen's enthusiastic direction gives Lean on Me a heartwarming, feel-good tone that is accessible beyond the environs of its subject.

Jul 9, 2014 | Full Review…
Variety
Top Critic

Inspirational movie about a controversial teacher.

Jan 2, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Common Sense Media

Is a baseball bat the best way to organize a school? In the movie, sure. In real life, maybe not.

Apr 7, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
New Times

Freeman, as usual, infuses a standard-issue plot with extraordinary emotional conviction.

Aug 17, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
Nick's Flick Picks

Freeman goes for the gusto and pulls it off...

Aug 1, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Reel Film Reviews

Watchable but formulaic tough-love-teacher movie, made perhaps before Morgan Freeman could get himself better roles.

Aug 1, 2002 | Rating: 2/5
Film Blather
View All Critic Reviews (16)

Audience Reviews for Lean on Me

½

Morgan Freeman is great in this role, but Lean on Me is a bit cheesy and predictable.

Raymond Wieser
Raymond Wieser

Super Reviewer

½

A good movie. A bit dated but Freeman was great none the less.

Jim Careter
Jim Careter

Super Reviewer

½

Great courage and true story of a high school principal who is saving the school from the troublemakers. Morgan Freeman electrifies his fiction character in an extraordinary performance as an extraordinary man.

Dean McKenna
Dean McKenna

Super Reviewer

A teacher inspires his students to do better. Good flick.

Jason Spencer
Jason Spencer

Super Reviewer

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