Review of Charlie Bartlett

Sub-sub-Rushmore

Charlie Bartlett is the story of a precocious and exceedingly wealthy teenage boy who heads to public school after being kicked out of yet another private school for an ingenious scheme. Oh, what hijinks ensue! This one is filled to the brim with one dimensional characters, including the title character. So if you're craving that kind of thing, awesome. I've never seen a high school with more teenagers who looked like they were kinda into punk rock and sporting neck tattoos. The cheerleaders have a really tough time learning how to love, too. Charlie Bartlett is one of those teenagers that exists exclusively in bad movies. You know those awkward, hyper-intelligent kids who are also incredibly extroverted and just waiting for the right super-plan to come along so that everyone around them can realize that they are born leaders? Yeah, I don't either. So why have I seen so many films about these cartoons? Not helping matters any is Anton Yelchin who's lead performance is so overwrought you can practically hear his high school drama teachers telling him what a talented boy he is from just off camera. Ferris Bueller's Day Off worked because you believed that the character was so charming he could actually pull off those wacky adventures, but you could still relate to him. He didn't possess any bizarre mutant powers that led every adult and child alike in his vicinity to want to confide their hopes and dreams to that boy who was so very wise beyond his years (and maybe there's a way he can get this dysfunctional family back together, too!). A very not good movie. Aaron. whatsaninternet.blogspot.com

Posted on 03/02/08 by: Aaron 07:52 PM