Charlie Bartlett (2008)

O Masterpiece
X Excellent
O Rental
O OK
O Mediocrity
O Avoid

Review by Jason Pyles / February 22, 2008

“Charlie Bartlett” proves, on multiple levels, that looks can be deceiving. At first blush, “Charlie Bartlett” looks like a typical, flash-in-the-plan, coming-of-age, high school movie. But it’s better than that. Similarly, on the surface, the Charlie Bartlett character himself appears to be nothing more than a rich, nerdy kid, but he is more than he seems.

Like Keebler, “Charlie Bartlett” is uncommonly good, especially when considering the movie within the context of its genre. Many high school movies merely focus on partying, sex, and at most, teenage rebellion of one kind or another. “Charlie Bartlett” hones in on the crux of teenage angst, which is the all-consuming desire for acceptance, popularity and being well-liked. This film also underscores how teens are unstable adults-in-training, with genuine stressors of their own.

A film that effectively conveys all the aforementioned, while also entertaining us with many laughs, is a significant accomplishment.

Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) is an exceptionally bright and charismatic 17-year-old. He has been expelled from several private schools for his mischievous enterprises (and yes, I mean to write “enterprises” because that’s what they are). Finally, Charlie is sent to Western Summit High, a public school where he develops an inconvenient affinity for the unhappy principal’s daughter, Susan (Kat Dennings).

At first, Charlie is not well received. He shows up on his first day of school in his smug, prep-school garb, which serves as a bull's-eye for the local bully, Murphy Bivens (Tyler Hilton), the best character of the movie. “Murph,” as he is often called, is worth the price of admission.

But Charlie, a young man of means who’s wise beyond his years, quickly devises a scheme where he becomes the school’s on-site psychiatrist, giving advice and prescribing medication to his fellow students. This extra-curricular activity changes everything and is the premise of the movie.

Robert Downey Jr., who plays Principal Gardner, gives the best performance in the film. This role encompasses many facets, and Downey owns every one of them. It is Principal Gardner’s conflict with Charlie that provides the most interesting subplot. Their turbulent relationship and verbal exchanges are captivating. Gardner struggles to be a father and a principal; and Charlie struggles to be a son and a student. And in the middle of their struggling, they collide and understand each other.

“Charlie Bartlett” is inevitably reminiscent of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986), “The Breakfast Club” (1985) and especially “The New Guy” (2002), starring DJ Qualls. In fact, “Charlie Bartlett” is what “The New Guy” wanted to be … or should have been.

Last but not least, I should make mention of Anton Yelchin, whom you might know from “Hearts in Atlantis” (2001) or “House of D” (2004). Born in Leningrad, Russia (much like Viktor), Yelchin is an actor who seems capable of being just as comfortable on stage as he is on the screen. Though he may not look it, with his boy-next-door appearance, Yelchin is versatile. I suspect that we will see him in a vast range of role types as he gets older, much like Emile Hirsch’s wide variance between “Into the Wild” (2007) and the upcoming “Speed Racer.”

Directed by Jon Poll
Anton Yelchin / Robert Downey Jr. / Kat Dennings
Comedy / Drama 97 min.
MPAA: R (for language, drug content and brief nudity)

U.S. Release Date: February 22, 2008
Copyright 2008: 241