Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Sammy-Jo Cervantes There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Jerrie It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

gwnightscream Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Lynne Thigpen and Robert Guillaume star in John Avildsen's 1989 drama based on a true story. This takes place in New Jersey and Freeman (The Shawshank Redemption) plays Joe Clark, a former teacher turned principal who is asked to clean up inner-city high school, Eastside after 20 years that's become drug-infested and lacks education. He gets off to a rough start with his strict methods, but eventually turns things around and gains loyalty and respect of his students and staff. Todd plays Miss Levias, his assistant, the late, Thigpen plays Mrs. Barrett, a parent who dislikes him and Guillaume (Benson) plays Frank Napier, the school superintendent. Freeman is great in this as usual and I think it's one of his best films. I recommend this good 80's drama.

ofpsmith Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) is a dedicated teacher and principal determined to fix the broken and crime infested Eastside High School in Trenton, New Jersey. Although tyrannical and unorthodox, Joe continues to weed out the negative influence of his school so that they can get an education. Although the school board, the Trenton Fire Department, and local activist Leonna Barrett (Lynne Thigpen) all want Joe gone, Joe fights for his students and reclaims the school in the end. Although Joe is not always the nicest person to be around, he has method to his madness. It's a really great story. The acting from everyone is great. Freeman always great and he really shines through here. I highly recommend Lean on Me.

secondtake Lean on Me (1989)A rousing movie about possibility and overcoming obstacles. It's an uncomplicated movie, telling in a linear way about the six month hard core reform of a very troubled inner-city high school. But it will make you feel good if you have any sentiment in you.Morgan Freeman is the newly installed principal with an idiosyncratic zeal that is perfect for this rough and tumble school. He tactics are severe—and seemingly heartless— kicking out hundreds of kids and punishing countless others for seemingly small offenses. But he certainly takes charge, and that was foremost. The students respond. Test scores improve.One of the messages here is still pertinent, and he puts it well to the whole group. If you are failing, it's not the fault of your parents, or the white folks. It's your fault. And so personal accountability is step one, then and now. The teachers seem mostly on target, though they get some abuse from his as well. (The chorus teacher in particular seems brilliant, but since she is teaching Mozart instead of the school song she is on the wrong side.) And so it goes, piece by piece, person by person.I say uncomplicated, but simplistic might be another word. This kind of reform must have been even more complex and stressful and painful than the movie shows—this isn't a documentary one bit. In fact, this is more of a fable, a kind of message driven tale of a man with a mission who overcomes the odds. That it's rooted in fact is only a small tweak to the larger point.

g-bodyl Lean on Me is certainly a film that gives an exaggerated version of tough love. It's a film about a high school principal who is dedicated for his students, but in the process, uses dictatorial powers to show his dedication. But this is a powerful film that shows a transformation from a school looking like a gang center to a school with high education results. There are not many films like these being made, so it's a treat seeing an inspirational film like this. The film itself may be a little outdated, but the messages still ring true even in today's world.John G Avildsen, known for his famous film Rocky, directs a film based on the true happenings of the East Paterson High School in New Jersey. Principal Joe Clark is brought in to save a school from completely collapsing. He expels the drug dealers and troublemakers and he chains the doors shut to keep the learners inside and the troublemakers outside....much to the disarray of the community.The acting is very good here. Morgan Freeman is one of the greatest actors Hollywood has ever had. This movie came out at a time before Freeman had his juicy roles, but this performance here is still top-notch. I may not agree with all the tactics Clark used to whip his school into shape, but Freeman does an excellent job in showing what a no-nonsense man Joe Clark was.Overall, Lean on Me is a very powerful film and is essentially a version of the old rags-to-rich tale, but here it's more of a dumb-to-smart tale. Led by a majestic performance by Morgan Freeman, this film is a must-see. Joe Clark was a stern man, but his sternness created glory for his school not seen in many years. "Lean on Me, when you're not strong. I'll be your pillow," as sung by the great Bill Withers in his classic song. I rate this film 9/10.