Plot: What’s it about?
Ah, high school. For most of us, it’s a fun time and for others…not so much. My family moved around a lot, forcing my brother and I to become very close. But even as packing up, moving to a new town, going to a new school and making new friends (and leaving old ones) was I can say that my experience wasn’t like those in the 1989 film Lean on Me. Back in the late 80’s Morgan Freeman was still an established actor, but he wasn’t the Morgan Freeman we know (and love) today. Based in no small part in Clean and Sober, which came out the previous year, Freeman was cast as Joe Clark – the “tough but fair” principal put in charge of arguably the roughest and/or toughest high school in New Jersey. No small task. Filmmaker John G. Avildsen, best known for his work on Best Picture winner Rocky and The Karate Kid, brings his usual enthusiasm to the film making it ever so memorable.
Based on actual events, director John G. Avildsen’s Lean on Me tells the story of Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman), a tough and radical disciplinarian hired to save the worst school in Paterson, New Jersey. Eastside High School is in trouble. The once exemplary school is now failing miserably. Graffitti lines the halls, gangs and drugs rule the school, and teachers and students live in perpetual fear. In one school year, Clark is challenged to turn the snake pit of a school into a halfway civilized place of learning, populated by decent students. To make sure his students pass a basic proficiency exam, Clark resorts to what some believe to be questionable methods, including wandering the halls threateningly with a baseball bat, to restore order to his school. Clark’s extreme tactics also include firing teachers for talking back, forcing students to sing the school song on demand, and locking out students known to be drug dealers. Freeman delivers an astonishing performance as the tough-as-nails principal who became a national hero and symbol for tough-love education.
I was searching around on YouTube after watching this film for one of its most iconic scenes. You can check that out here. But the beauty of it is that I started reading the comments and several of those who replied were actual students of Eastside High. How cool is that? This is, in my humble opinion, the film that made Morgan Freeman the actor he is today. We all know him as “the narrator”, but it did pave the way for future roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Unforgiven and his Academy Award winning turn in Million Dollar Baby. I’d done some further research on this film after watching it and evidently Clark wasn’t quite as bad as the film made it out to be, but Lean on Me certainly gives us a glimpse into what most certainly was. It might not be quite as inspirational as some of his other films, but this one is one I remember from my youth and it’s never looked or sounded better than it does here.
Video: How’s it look?
Warner Archive has given this film a new 4K scan from the original camera negative and it shows on most every level. I think my last viewing experience with this was either on VHS when it came out or perhaps on DVD. At any rate, the 1.85:1 AVC HD image is significantly improved with bold, bright colors, impressive detail and a steady contrast throughout. It’s odd seeing Freeman with a full head of black hair! Warner Archive is quietly putting out a very impressive catalog of late 80’s films that have been passed over. This is a good thing (as is the image quality).
Audio: How’s it sound?
A DTS HD Master Audio 2.0 mix does its job and does it very well. If you did click on the YouTube link above, you’ll be given a taste of what this sounds like. And if hearing the words “Fair Eastside…” don’t send a shiver down your spine, then I don’t think you’re someone I want to know. As we might expect, the vocals are top notch with Freeman’s booming and commanding voice taking front and center. It’s not the most audio heavy film out there, but it doesn’t have to be either. This sounds fantastic.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
Films base on true life events have always fascinated me. Couple that with this story, John G. Avildsen’s direction and Freeman’s performance and you’ve got yourself a winner. A bit slim on supplements, but the overall technical presentation holds up very well and the film is highly recommended.
