LEAN ON ME

US, 1989, 104 minutes, Colour.
Morgan Freeman, Beverley Todd, Robert Guillaume.
Directed by John G. Avildsen.

Lean on Me is a film about American education, following on the success of Stand and Deliver in 1988.

The film is based on a true story, on the eccentric 'Crazy' Joe Clark who took over the East Side High School in Patterson, New Jersey, and transformed it, from a declining school into a first-rate education organisation. However, his personalty was a blend of the conman and the fascist - and the film shows both sides of his character. He is portrayed with great vigour by Morgan Freeman (Street Smart) who commented that his characterisation of Clark was as a hero, but not as a saint.

The film is in the tradition of To Sir With Love and the many films about, the schools - and shows a triumph of human nature, the worth of education and discipline. The film probably comments about the decline in American society In the '80s and echoes the need for morale-boosting. This is not alien to the films of director John G. Avildsen (Rocky, The Karate Kid, For Keeps).

An uplifting and entertaining - if grandstanding - movie.

1. The impact of the film, based on a true story, American education in the '80s, morale-boost and uplift?

2. The New Jersey settings, East Side High School and Patterson, New Jersey? The use of the school locations: the contrast between the '60s and the decline of the '80s, the change in the '80s? Authentic? Musical score, the school theme, the title song?

3. The work of John G. Avildsen, the tradition of Stand and Deliver, the variation on the education theme and its effect?

4. The title, apt, as relating to Joe Clark, the students, lyrics of the song?

5. The prologue and the '60s, Clark and his history teaching, the competitions, black and while students together, boys and girls? The mod-style of the '60s? His confrontation of the board, his rage and his being sacked? The visual decline of the school?

6. The '80s and politics, mayoral elections, the mayor and his non-concern? Advice from Rosenberg? His advice from his education officer? Agreeing with the appointment of Clark? The confrontations with Mrs Barrett, with the fire chief? Deals and arrangements? Conduct of board meetings? His stance at the end? The irony of Rosenberg helping Clark?

7. The education officer and his plans for the reviving of the school, his hopes, going to see Clark at the primary school, challenging him? Their interaction throughout the story, standing by him?

8. The decline of East Side: the noise, students not doing any work, the scene of the ripping of the girl's blouse, the drug pushers at the school, the lack of discipline? How realistic?

9. Clark and his arrival, his use of the megaphone, his bringing order to chaos, the meeting of the staff and confronting them, his bombastic and autocratic style, his use of 'my' and 'I', the meeting with the students, his expelling the top year for non contributing to the school, his demanding silence, his speeches about the spirit of the school? His speech about who was to blame - the system, whites, discipline?

10. A portrait, warts and all, a hero rather than a saint, strengths, order, care, irony in his speech, rage, rudeness? Not respecting the teachers, not listening? Attitudes to women, to blacks? To whites, Hispanics? The music teacher fired, the attack on Mrs Barrett, the humiliation of Darnell and demoting him? The attack on his secretary? The confrontation by the teachers?

11. Clark's sense of discipline, his use of the school song (and the singers in the toilet surprising him), the new version and his approval? Patience, the graffiti on the wall? Use of detention and suspension? Behaviour in the canteen, dress sense, self respect? The fights, the drug dealers, the chaining of the doors, the exams and their results, 100 days for the tests? His big speech before the test - charismatic and evangelistic style, getting the whites to stand up, highlighting the impact of education and getting the students roused? The good results?

12. His relationship to the teachers: his authority and assertion, his relationship to the authorities, to the students and being a father figure, getting self-respect? The importance of the encounter with Sams, his appeal to come back, taking him onto the roof, getting him to talk aloud, urging him about death and life? His size, clothes? Skipping with the students in the yard? The school anthem? Kaneesha - and her mother and the drugs, going to visit, the girl's pregnancy, responsibilities? The drug dealer and his opting out, warning him that he would be dead in a year?

13. Mrs Barrett at the meeting, hardness, antagonism, her plan, interviews with the mayor, with the fire chief (and his insult), her speech to the students, losing?

14. The secretary and her work, devotion, telling the truth, demanding respect, commenting on Clark's discipline, the attempt to resign?

15. Going to prison, his code 10, the fire chief attacking, his vindictiveness? In jail, the mayor's visit? The students rallying, the speeches, the support? The end and his vindication? Graduation?

16. The grandstanding style of Clark? Identifying with his school and job? American education and problems? Ways of handling them? Morale and hope?