Author: Wyatt Sanderman Day | Published: March 30th, 2009

    
Charlie Bartlett

    On occasion, and with great irregularity, I have had the pleasure to experience a film made about post adolescent high school students; made primarily for an audience of those same post adolescents, that connects with the general audience - me: a middle aged, feisty older gentleman with somewhat sophisticated tastes. "Charlie Bartlett," with Anton Yelchin in the titular role, accomplished this by being much more than the usual formula "teenage" movies that explore the cliched commonality of the marketable teenager; rather, it told a story, with resolute conviction, that was entertaining with the resolution believable yet original.

    This compelling narrative, that is so often absent in the formula teenage movie, was "Charlie Bartlett's" primary strength along with the convincing work of the actors comprising the societal facets of the conflicting characters. This neo "coming of age" film deals with the serious issue of integrating the product of a privileged dysfunctional family into the fabric of a public high school.

    Dysfunctional: her mother is on a series of medications due to depression and other psychological maladies and a father who is in federal prison for tax evasion.

    Eventually, his mother, played by Hope Davis, hooks Charlie up with psychiatrists, that treat his co-depression with medication, some conversation and repeated visits. Ultimately, the precocious Charlie learns their job and doctor shops for more medication, that he distributes for profit at his new school once he befriends the school bully and makes him his partner. While disbursing the medications, he dispenses psycho babble, that is sincere, and is effective, bringing relief to the teen angst that is so prevalent today.

    When the high school principal, Nathan Gardner portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr., discovers the basis of young Bartlett's popularity, he works to unravel its foundation. What egregiously complicates the issue is that Charlie and his only daughter and child, Susan, fall in love. With his daughter and his school caught in Charlie's web, Principal Gardner seeks to detach his world from the charismatic Bartlett.

    What makes the story so compelling is the resolution is the believable anecdote to the conflict. I liked the movie and at 97 minutes my time was well spent - 3 1/4 stars.

    Rated R. Released on DVD June 28, 2008.

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