Lean on Me

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Lean on Me

PG-13

Released Mar 3, 1989

1h 48m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this fact-based film, a New Jersey superintendent, Dr. Frank Napier (Robert Guillaume), watches helplessly as East Side High becomes the lowest-ranked school in the state. With nowhere else to turn, Dr. Napier enlists maverick ex-teacher Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) to take over as principal of the declining school. Unfortunately for Clark, before he can focus on improving the student body's state exam scores, he has to somehow rid the school of its gang and narcotics problems.

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Jane Galbraith

Variety

Avildsen's enthusiastic direction gives Lean on Me a heartwarming, feel-good tone that is accessible beyond the environs of its subject.

Jul 9, 2014

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Lean on Me is not a documentary about the real Joe Clark. It is a fiction film about a character who is so troubled, obsessed and angry that the film is never able to say quite what it thinks of him. After the movie, neither are we.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

A rewatch of "Lean on Me" does bring about the same sense of appreciation for individuals who work in education, who sacrifice their time and energy to ensure that the next generation is as smart (or smarter) than the last.

Jul 24, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Those seeking inspiration and uplift could do a lot worse.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 15, 2025

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

For fools like me, eyes will water. This is why, despite its defects, I vote in favor of this fable film. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 5, 2022

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Mable Haddock

Call and Post (Cleveland)

A tender movie with a tough message.

Mar 29, 2022

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Tmpbabybaby Live L

Favorite Movie of All Time can quote every line, Morgan Freeman should have won an Oscar for his performance

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

Full Review

Blu B

A Classic Drama. Phenominal acting across the board with easily the highlight being Morgan Freeman delivering one of the best performances of his career. His fire and passion is relentless and never lets up once as he commands the screen. What's amazing is he is never portrayed as a perfect character despite standing for law and order. And never comes across as a god himself. Everything else is really well done with really good direction overall here. If I can fault this for one thing it's that it can be very over the top and overdramitize constantly. However, that being said the situation it portrays comes off as over the top but also very real and I understand they are packing a whole school year in under 2 hours you have to compress things. It can feel very exhausting though as this moves at a ridiculously fast pace throwing nonstop drama, tension, passion, and keeps upping the stakes. It can also feel like stuff just happens a bit as certain plot lines don' really go anywhere at times like the pregnancy and the one kid leaving feel almost forgotten about. But it just works overall because of how fast everything hits and it does build on top of each other extremely well. And above all else, it's an inspiring story that really works. Anyone who is a fan of any actors in this, the director, inner city dramas or dramas in general will like this.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/24

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Aj L

One of my - if not my favourite movie, that's partly nostalgia based but brilliant, so underrated!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/31/24

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S R

I remember it being a moving film showing how standing for good can lead to better outcomes. I saw it again and it still has a moving story based on true events. It is powerful and Freeman carries to movie. Saw on HBO.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

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Jacob H

Its a great wholesome movie highlighting the difficulties an inner-city school faces.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/24

Full Review

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John G. Avildsen

Director

Morgan Freeman

Joe Clark

Robert Guillaume

Dr. Frank Napier

Beverly Todd

Ms. Levias

Lynne Thigpen

Leonna Barrett

Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins

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Synopsis

In this fact-based film, a New Jersey superintendent, Dr. Frank Napier (Robert Guillaume), watches helplessly as East Side High becomes the lowest-ranked school in the state. With nowhere else to turn, Dr. Napier enlists maverick ex-teacher Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) to take over as principal of the declining school. Unfortunately for Clark, before he can focus on improving the student body's state exam scores, he has to somehow rid the school of its gang and narcotics problems.

Director: John G. Avildsen
Producer: Norman Twain
Screenwriter: Michael Schiffer
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 3, 1989, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $28.9M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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