I recently signed up for the Angelika Film Center's Newsletter , which means that I get free screening tickets. The first one which I was actually able to attend was Charlie Bartlett, and I invited fellow Culture Feast blogger, Nicholas Johnson a.k.a. Dr. Danger, to enjoy the wonderful talents of Robert Downey, Jr. with me.
As usual, I had no idea what to expect from this film. All I knew was that Robert Downey, Jr. was in it, and as with I Am Legend and Will Smith, Downey, Jr.'s name was enough to make me want to see it. I know there are some people who aren't too fond of him because of his sordid past, but I think he's pure genius. Nicholas said it best when he said, "RDJ could go on a drug-induced rampage and still not put a dent in his image after his performance in this film."
His performance as the loveable, disrespected high school Principal Gardner isn't really in the same category as his dazzling show in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but then it's awfully hard to improve perfection. His character serves as the perfect foil for Charlie Bartlett, the "poor" rich kid who's been kicked out of every private school, and is thereby forced to attend public school. You can see the gleam in Principal Gardner's eye that makes him wish he could be out there making trouble with his students instead of having to ineffectively police them. Charlie does what he wishes he could.
As fabulous as Robert Downey, Jr. was in his role, Anton Yelchin's performance as Charlie Bartlett was equally amazing. As Nicholas said, "I think Yelchin is well on his way to breakout success." This kid is gifted! The whole Ritalin induced craze made me laugh so hard I couldn't breathe. He's got a great dead pan delivery that makes even the most asinine line hilarious. Hope Davis as Charlie's mother and Kat Dennings, from the 40 Year-Old Virgin, as Susan Gardner, Charlie's girlfriend and Principal Gardner's daughter, complete a fabulously cast ensemble.
Nicholas thought the film offered a chance for mentors and adults to relate to their students, children or younger siblings. “The underlying message in Charlie Bartlett is that it's ok to talk about your hopes, fears, and all of your other feelings. This movie will do a lot to empower teens who see it and let them know that it's natural to have feelings that they don't understand.”
I found that it gave me a wonderful opportunity to reminisce about my troublesome high school days and wish that I had been as seemingly comfortable in my 17 year-old skin as Charlie was in his.
For some reason, I couldn't help but think that Charlie Bartlett was going to be this generation's Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Ok, so it's not quite as quirky and silly, but I got the same vibe from it. There are so many charming and lovely moments that I can't even begin to tell you about because if I do, they'll be ruined for you. So I’ll simply leave them as small treasures for you to discover. You can always come back and comment on your favorite moments.
Popularity: 36% [?]
March 26th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
YEAH!! What I said.
March 26th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
so…..did Gary not have a movie review this week?
March 26th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Looks like Gary will have one Thursday. You and Ashleigh mock my pain! I want to go to the movies too!
As soon as I can leave the baby with a babysitter, I’m going to watch 12 movies in a row in the theater! That’s right! Non-stop until my eyes dry out.