Lean On Me

Lean On Me is a drama based on the real story of Joe Clark, a strong-willed educator who returns to a struggling New Jersey high school as its principal. Paterson's Eastside High has become a place where gangs, drugs and disorder have taken hold, and Clark sets out to restore discipline with methods that make him plenty of enemies among students, teachers and parents. He expels large numbers of pupils, tightens security and demands results, while an agreement that could make his position permanent depends on whether the students pass their final exams. Morgan Freeman plays Joe Clark, with Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume, Ethan Phillips, Lynne Thigpen and Michael Beach among the credited cast of 28. The screenplay is by Michael Schiffer and the producer is Norman Twain.

John G. Avildsen directed the film, which was released in March 1989. It came after For Keeps and The Karate Kid Part III and before Rocky V and The Power of One in a filmography that also includes Joe, Rocky, Neighbors and the first two Karate Kid films. Made for about 10 million dollars, it took roughly 32 million worldwide, a solid return on its budget. On IMDb it holds 7.4 out of 10 from around 25,000 votes, and on TMDB 7.3 from 358 votes, showing broad audience approval. A critics' rating of 5.9 from 21 reviews places professional opinion lower than the audience scores.