Movie Review: Charlie Bartlett

I know what you're thinking, not another teen movie. And by anyone's assessment 2009's Charlie Bartlett is exactly that; with characters who vaguely reflect but grossly exaggerate real teen prototypes and a plot that mirrors many films before it. But with the expertise of director Jon Poll (Meet the Fockers and The 40 Year Old Virgin) and a convincing cast including Robert Downey Jr., Susan Dennings, Hope Davis and the very entertaining Aton Yelchin, you will not be bored. What it lacks in originality it makes up for in sincerity and charm. At its core, Charlie Bartlett is a movie about choices, survival, and both the privilege and complications that come with human.

You will find a young man in a situation not unlike literature's Holden Caulfield. After testing the limits and desperately trying to fit in, Charlie is expelled from yet another private school. Marilyn Bartlett (Hope Davis) has a talk with her son Charlie (Aton Yelchin.) "Maybe there's more to high school than being well liked," she tries. "Like what specifically?" Charlie asks. Mrs. Bartlett pauses and responds, "Nothing comes to mind." The two have great chemistry, having played the role of mother and son before in 2001's Hearts in Atlantis. We understand that Charlie's dad is in prison, and that Charlie and his mom take care of each other. They decide it's time for him to try public school. And there begins the story.

Charlie's ultimate fantasy is to be adored by his peers. His rich-kid clothing and eccentric personality initially put the other students off. He quickly finds ways to gain their attention; first by forming a business partnership with Murphey (Tyler Hilton) the school bully and acting as a psychiatrist/illegal pharmacist in the boy's bathroom. Charlie's accepting manner and listening ear help students from every clique begin to cope with their various problems: the introverts, the cheerleaders, the bullies, the jocks; even his love interest, Susan Gardener (played by the lovely, up-and-coming Susan Dennings) sits opposite stall from Charlie, opening up to him about her frustrations over her Principal/dad, Nathan Gardener (Robert Downey Jr.) Charlie soon learns just how complicated popularity can be.

Teenagers will relate to the universal themes in this film. High school is portrayed as a sort of hellish romp through issues such as drugs, broken families, dating, and bullies. The world depicted is conveniently summarized for us in the title of Western Summit High's annual school play: Hell Comes with a Locker. For adults, it will strongly remind them of similar movies from their generation such as 1971's Harold and Maude and 1982's Fast Times at Ridgemont High. In fact, Charlie's mannerisms and odd character practically yell, "Hi. I'm Charlie Bartlett, the Bud Cort of my generation." Director Jon Poll even admitted to a CBR news reporter, when asked who he wanted to play the part of Charlie Bartlett, "I really didn't have any idea who I wanted and I used to joke about [wanting] Bud Cort, four years before he did 'Harold & Maude.'"[1]

Just because we've seen this kind of plot and these kind of characters before, doesn't mean Charlie Bartlett is a movie to skip. Packed with a cast of rising stars, funny moments, and an overall good message, Charlie Bartlett will leave you smiling and, if nothing else; entertained.

[1] For full interview: http://www.comicbookresources. com/?page=article&id=12320