Review of Charlie Bartlett (2008) by Jayant S — 17 Nov 2009
I didn't expect much of this film when I selected it, having read a number of reviews that compared it unfavorably with Ferris Buehler and similar teen movies. I was very pleased to find that it was nothing at all like, and much better than, Ferris Buehler -- a film I did enjoy.
In my opinion, Charlie Bartlett is much more like Chumscrubber or Harold and Maude. It was very funny but NOT primarily a comedy. It was a very serious film in its own offbeat way. Anton Yelchin shows himself to be a really excellent actor.
The rest of the cast are also very good. Hope Davis is especially good as Charlie's mother. Robert Downey Jr. once again demonstrates that he is one of the best actors around. The part of the principal in the typical teen comedy would be a clownish foil for Charlie but in this film it is written and played as a fully developed character, more like John Lithgow's role in Footlose than like Jeffrey Jones very funny but largely one-dimensional performance in Ferris Buehler's Day Off.
This review of Charlie Bartlett (2008) was written by Jayant S on 17 Nov 2009.
Charlie Bartlett has generally received positive reviews.
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