Review of Charlie Bartlett (2008) by Jake P — 24 Jun 2009
Another film about a prep school ne'er-do-well who gets the public school kids on his side through whimsical personality? In this Hollywood debut entry for director Jon Poll, Charlie takes on the role of drug pusher-psychotherapist (by faking symptoms at several shrinks' offices), and the kids melt in his hands.
The psychological drip is heavy here (he's dating the principal's daughter, his dad's in jail, Stepford mom...) and comes to a markedly un-whimsical head at the hour point with a suicide attempt traceable to Charlie's drugs.
6/10 for its un-sappy integration of opinions on psychotherapy and such, but the film would've done better sticking to the lightheartedness.
This review of Charlie Bartlett (2008) was written by Jake P on 24 Jun 2009.
Charlie Bartlett has generally received positive reviews.
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