It started with Saved by the Bell. During those seemingly innocent Saturday morning reruns, the idea was planted in our impressionable young minds that high school was a magical land full of exciting situations and charming, thoughtful boys. We saw Ferris Bueller's Day Off and thought that we couldn't wait to get older so that we could finally be cool.
Charlie Bartlett is the newest film to make the grass seem greener. Even though it may be painful to see that amazing high-school experience you never could have had up on the silver screen, believe me when I say that it's worth it -- because it hurts so good.
After he is expelled from his latest private school for making fake IDs, Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) enrolls in the local public high school, which is run by the overworked Principal Gardner (Robert Downey Jr.). Charlie catches the eye of the principal's daughter, Susan (Kat Dennings), but he isn't having much luck making friends. Charlie's polite and friendly manner, however, inspires his classmates to open up to him, making Charlie the school's unofficial psychiatrist. Charlie manages to find a place from himself at the school, dispensing advice, "prescribing" pills and solving problems for the student body.
Considering that the characters face no consequences for their actions, the premise of Charlie Bartlett isn't very plausible. Fortunately, the film's cast is more than capable of making it seem believable. The whole film rides on Yelchin's shoulders, and he carries the weight very well. A lesser actor could have made Charlie's quest for popularity into some kind of self-involved power grab, but Yelchin brings an open-heartedness to the character that makes Charlie someone the audience wants to succeed. Yelchin's performance is energetic and hilarious, making the movie what it is. He is definitely someone to watch.
Veteran actors Hope Davis and Downey Jr. should be proud to add Charlie Bartlett to their already impressive resumes. As Charlie's well-meaning mother, Davis steals every scene she's in. Downey Jr. isn't too likeable, but he makes Gardner's struggle with alcoholism and his dealings with rebelling students credible.
Thanks to these strong performances, the film's true strength comes from the actors. As I mentioned before, the plot of Charlie Bartlett isn't exactly realistic. As so many Hollywood productions do, it takes place in a magical world where every teenager is resourceful and motivated. In this alternative universe, students are able to put aside their clique alliances and mobilize to defeat the oppressive adults in the blink of a montage. In reality, most teenagers would rather play Guitar Hero than unite to fight The Man.
Luckily for us, Charlie Bartlett doesn't live in our world. He lives in that fantasy teen-comedy universe where he can perform for our entertainment. Despite the plot's unbelievability, Charlie Bartlett is a funny and optimistic film and a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.3
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