Lean On Me
Seen it?1989 | 108 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Audiences rate it highly (7.3 out of 10) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Freedom Writers or The Hate U Give, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 48 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$32 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 213K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by John G. Avildsen
- Morgan FreemanPrincipal Joe Clark
- Beverly ToddMs. Levias
- Robert GuillaumeDr. Frank Napier
- Ethan PhillipsMr. Rosenberg
- Lynne ThigpenLeonna Barrett
- Michael BeachMr. Darnell
- Tony ToddMr. William Wright
- Karen Malina WhiteKaneesha Carter
- Alan NorthMayor Don Bottman
- Robin BartlettMrs. Elliott