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IMDbPro

Lean on Me

  • 19891989
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
848
830
Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school and he is determined to improve by any and all means.
Play trailer1:31
1 Video
35 Photos
  • Drama
The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
848
830
  • Director
    • John G. Avildsen
  • Writer
    • Michael Schiffer
  • Stars
    • Morgan Freeman
    • Beverly Todd
    • Robert Guillaume
Top credits
  • Director
    • John G. Avildsen
  • Writer
    • Michael Schiffer
  • Stars
    • Morgan Freeman
    • Beverly Todd
    • Robert Guillaume
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 92User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Official Trailer

    Photos35

    Morgan Freeman and Joe Clark in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman, Michael Best, Stephen Capers Jr., Dwayne Jones, and Kenneth Kelly in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman and Karen Malina White in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman and Joe Clark in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    John G. Avildsen (right) and Morgan Freeman (left) on the set of "Lean on Me".
    Morgan Freeman, Michael Best, Stephen Capers Jr., Jermaine Hopkins, Dwayne Jones, and Kenneth Kelly at an event for Lean on Me (1989)
    1 sheet movie poster
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Morgan Freeman
    Morgan Freeman
    • Principal Joe Clarkas Principal Joe Clark
    Beverly Todd
    Beverly Todd
    • Ms. Leviasas Ms. Levias
    Robert Guillaume
    Robert Guillaume
    • Dr. Frank Napieras Dr. Frank Napier
    Alan North
    Alan North
    • Mayor Don Bottmanas Mayor Don Bottman
    Lynne Thigpen
    Lynne Thigpen
    • Leonna Barrettas Leonna Barrett
    Robin Bartlett
    Robin Bartlett
    • Mrs. Elliottas Mrs. Elliott
    Michael Beach
    Michael Beach
    • Mr. Darnellas Mr. Darnell
    Ethan Phillips
    Ethan Phillips
    • Mr. Rosenbergas Mr. Rosenberg
    Sandra Reaves-Phillips
    Sandra Reaves-Phillips
    • Mrs. Powersas Mrs. Powers
    Sloane Shelton
    Sloane Shelton
    • Mrs. Hamiltonas Mrs. Hamilton
    Jermaine Hopkins
    • Thomas Samsas Thomas Sams
    • (as Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins)
    Karen Malina White
    Karen Malina White
    • Kaneesha Carteras Kaneesha Carter
    Karina Arroyave
    Karina Arroyave
    • Mariaas Maria
    Ivonne Coll
    Ivonne Coll
    • Mrs. Santosas Mrs. Santos
    Regina Taylor
    Regina Taylor
    • Mrs. Carteras Mrs. Carter
    Michael P. Moran
    • Mr. O'Malleyas Mr. O'Malley
    John Ring
    • Fire Chief Gainesas Fire Chief Gaines
    Tyrone Jackson
    Tyrone Jackson
    • Clarenceas Clarence
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Michael Schiffer
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real-life Joe Clark resigned as principal of Eastside High School shortly after the film was released. Around the time the film debuted, he was suspended by the school board for one week, after scheduling an assembly in which dancers stripped down to their G-strings. Clark said he hadn't known about it in advance. Ironically, the man who suspended him was Dr. Frank Napier. After Clark left Eastside, he became an author, and motivational speaker. In 1995, he was hired to run a juvenile detention center in Newark, New Jersey, a position he held until he resigned in 2002. During his time there, he once again came under fire for his controversial methods.
    • Goofs
      The practice exam booklet reads "New Jersey Minimun Basic Skills Tests"...probably the last place the school board (or the film's producers) would want a spelling error.
    • Quotes

      Joe Clark: I'll tell you what I do see here...

      Ms. Levias: No! I'm talking now! Let me finish! Everybody here may not like you as a person, but we all applaud your efforts. But what you don't understand is the same people that support you are the ones you're beating up! You don't even take the time to say 'Thank you. Job well done'. Nothing! You just step on their necks! Constantly abuse them!

      Joe Clark: Ms. Levias...

      Ms. Levias: Criticize them!

      Joe Clark: What do you want from me?

      [Faces her]

      Joe Clark: What the HELL do you want?

      Ms. Levias: I want you to get this straight! Most of the teachers here are here because they care! About those children out there! This school, this fight, they are in it with you! They take it home at night, the same as you! They are a part of those children's lives! You are thoughtless and cruel, and it hurts! And none of them deserve it! They are sick of it, and so am I!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: New York Stories/Farewell to the King/Lean on Me/Out Cold (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Lean on Me
      Performed by Thelma Houston and The Winans
      Produced by Richard Perry
      Courtesy of Qwest Records
      Written by Bill Withers

    User reviews92

    Review
    Top review
    Great acting, so-so script
    Morgan Freeman's performance is the real reason to see this film. He's helped by a solid supporting cast, leading to some truly memorable scenes as principal Joe Clark (Freeman) battles teachers, parents, and administrators who are outraged by his controversial methods.

    But this film deserved a grittier treatment than what it was given. The script is an awkward blend of inner-city drama with feel-good heroics. The subplot about the basic skills test should have been scrapped. First of all, it never happened in real life. But more importantly, it changed the entire tone of the film. Clark's story was about how he disciplined a school, not how he educated it. The softened approach leaves LEAN ON ME at odds with itself - it tries to be like STAND AND DELIVER, when it should have been like THE PRINCIPAL.
    helpful•12
    2
    • Dasher111
    • Apr 30, 2001

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    Photos

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Der knallharte Prinzipal
    • Filming locations
      • The Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • Norman Twain Productions
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $31,906,454
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,032,605
      • Mar 5, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $31,906,454
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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