ofpsmith Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) is a dedicated teacher and principal determined to fix the broken and crime infested Eastside High School in Trenton, New Jersey. Although tyrannical and unorthodox, Joe continues to weed out the negative influence of his school so that they can get an education. Although the school board, the Trenton Fire Department, and local activist Leonna Barrett (Lynne Thigpen) all want Joe gone, Joe fights for his students and reclaims the school in the end. Although Joe is not always the nicest person to be around, he has method to his madness. It's a really great story. The acting from everyone is great. Freeman always great and he really shines through here. I highly recommend Lean on Me.

callanvass (Credit IMDb) The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school that he is determined to improve.This is a very important film about education. Some might find Principal Joe Clark to be an arrogant person, but I believe you have to look beyond that. The man was willing to fight for education and equal rights, regardless of the controversy. He wanted to make sure people quit dropping out and focus on the right people. Sure, he rubbed people the wrong way with his tyrannical style, but the man was extremely effective and a good person. Morgan Freeman gives Joe Clark justice with his memorable performance. He is mesmerizing at times and carries a good film into a great one. This movie would have been good with an above average lead, but Freeman makes all the difference in the world. This is an excellent movie that will make you teary eyed, laugh and saddened. It is a movie of many emotions8/10

timelord1999 This movie was so inspiring. Morgan, like all the reviews state, was cast PERFECTLY as Joe Clark. I cant think of an actor better suited to the role. I almost cried, and I don't cry for ANYTHING. This was a very deep movie and I recommend this to anyone whom likes Morgan Freeman, movies about finding yourself, kids improving themselves out of their own free will, and things like that. If you think movies like this are ghetto, your an idiot because thats the incorrect use of the word ghetto, Morgan RULES, and movies like this were meant to inspire. Which I believe, is exactly what it did for me. If you watch it. You will feel, invigorated, happy, sad, more happy, and inspired to do good things.Movies sort of like this but not as good are: remember the titans, The color purple, dangerous minds, and stand and deliver.PS, Lets go Morgan Freeman! YAY!

kth-lafountaine This movie I was a little skeptical of before I watched it. I didn't know who was in it, what it was about, or how long it was. All I was told was "you'll like the opening song (which happened to be Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses). However, not even halfway through it, I was absorbed and no amount of willpower would get me away from that film.This movie was truly inspiring in its plot. The characters (especially Morgan Freeman) were truly believable. The students (the good ones) are inspiring in the end. This movie shows an amazing portrayal of human character and how one man can change the lives of many. I think it's funny that they turned to him when he was fired before. This film is great. It definitely is worth watching. You'll laugh, cry, and be astonished at Morgan Freeman's performance.