Charlie Bartlett
Popularity is a state of mind.
The kids at Western Summit High have "issues," and newcomer Charlie Bartlett is coming to their rescue. With a briefcase full of prescription pills and a head full of pop psychology, this rebel with a cause brings hilarious help to the student body and unending grief to their neurotic principal, Mr. Gardner (Robert Downey, Jr.). Suddenly, Charlie is the hottest man on campus and he's even caught the eye of Gardner's sultry daughter. An outrageous send-up of today's Prozac generation, Charlie Bartlett has your prescription for laugh-out-loud insanity!
Member Reviews
Decent High School Movie - moviewatcher101
This movie is better than the average high school movie. It is a little darker and quirkier which is why I would recommend it. Robert Downey Jr. is fantastic as the role of the principal and father of the lead female character. Hope Davis is also great as the mother of Charlie Bartlett, the main character. I would recommend this movie as an amusing and quirky high school comedy.Modern teenage coming of age story - thenewguy
Charlie Bartlett is a modern coming of age story which plays out a lot like its 80s counterparts. However, Charlie Bartlett has been updated to appeal to a more modern crowd.
There are a few things I enjoyed about this movie, one of which is the way the movie presents us with information and moves on. Where many teenage dramas draw out scenes with long (boring), tension-building pauses, this film gracefully gives us what we need and skips ahead, it has more to show us. The humour is well down-played and, sometimes, dark. The scenes are simple, but artfully done. The characters, especially the title character, flip between overly dramatic and calmly witty.
This movie isn't to be taken too serious and it is self-aware enough to know that. It's over the top and embraces that while, at the same time, throwing in subtle extras to enhance the experience.
It is predictable and it is a westside-ish portrayal of highschool, but the movie uses those features to its benefit rather than to its detriment.More to it than you'd think. - HaroldCrick
Rented this one just for fun of it expecting a sort of goofball adolescent comedy with a few laughs, but I got more than I expected. First off, Robert Downey Jr. adds a lot even though his role of the principal/father isn't a very challenging one. Secondly, there's a lot going on here in terms of conflicts and they ring true. Lastly, I really enjoyed how the movie ended. Sure it was a feel good ending but nicely done. The old Cat Stevens song from the movie Harold and Maude fit perfectly.
Member Reviews
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Decent High School Movie - moviewatcher101
This movie is better than the average high school movie. It is a little darker and quirkier which is why I would recommend it. Robert Downey Jr. is fantastic as the role of the principal and father of the lead female character. Hope Davis is also great as ...Modern teenage coming of age story - thenewguy
Charlie Bartlett is a modern coming of age story which plays out a lot like its 80s counterparts. However, Charlie Bartlett has been updated to appeal to a more modern crowd.
There are a few things I enjoyed about this movie, one of which is the way ...More to it than you'd think. - HaroldCrick
Rented this one just for fun of it expecting a sort of goofball adolescent comedy with a few laughs, but I got more than I expected. First off, Robert Downey Jr. adds a lot even though his role of the principal/father isn't a very challenging one. Secondly, ...