Charlie Bartlett has been kicked out of every private high school he has ever attended. The last time he was expelled for running a fake ID laminating press out of his dorm room. The film begins with Charlie starting a new semester at a new school... The Public School.
Most notably, the movie highlights new players in the industry. Anton Yelchin plays the lead as a convincing outsider, while Jon Poll makes his directorial debut with this film; he had previously been an editor for Austin Powers.
The film evolves beyond the typical teen movie genre with an intriguing motif concerning prescription drugs for psychiatric purposes. Charlie, attempting to make friends, becomes the school's psychiatrist and works in collaboration with the school's bully to sell prescription meds. In an unrealistic amount of time, Charlie makes the jump from being the new guy to being the school's prized legend. Soon he's butting heads with the principal, played by Robert Downey Jr., who takes the uncharacteristic role of authority figure. Soon, however, Charlie begins to understand the difference between the cure his pills offer and the true healing one must work for.
Unfortunately, the other roles feature mediocre acting and stereotypes. Though it's rushed at times, Charlie Bartlett has its moments. An entertaining and somewhat thought-provoking story, it's likely to make you laugh. But seeing the bigger picture, one hopes that it's more of a stepping stone for new talent than anything else.
