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Lean on Me

  • 1989
  • PG-13
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
25K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,325
225
Lean on Me (1989)
The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school and he is determined to improve by any and all means.
Play trailer1:31
1 Video
48 Photos
Psychological DramaBiographyDrama

The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.

  • Director
    • John G. Avildsen
  • Writer
    • Michael Schiffer
  • Stars
    • Morgan Freeman
    • Beverly Todd
    • Robert Guillaume
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    25K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,325
    225
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Michael Schiffer
    • Stars
      • Morgan Freeman
      • Beverly Todd
      • Robert Guillaume
    • 108User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Official Trailer

    Photos48

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    + 42
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    Top Cast74

    Morgan Freeman
    Morgan Freeman
    • Principal Joe Clark
    Beverly Todd
    Beverly Todd
    • Ms. Levias
    Robert Guillaume
    Robert Guillaume
    • Dr. Frank Napier
    Alan North
    Alan North
    • Mayor Don Bottman
    Lynne Thigpen
    Lynne Thigpen
    • Leonna Barrett
    Robin Bartlett
    Robin Bartlett
    • Mrs. Elliott
    Michael Beach
    Michael Beach
    • Mr. Darnell
    Ethan Phillips
    Ethan Phillips
    • Mr. Rosenberg
    Sandra Reaves-Phillips
    Sandra Reaves-Phillips
    • Mrs. Powers
    Sloane Shelton
    Sloane Shelton
    • Mrs. Hamilton
    Jermaine Hopkins
    • Thomas Sams
    • (as Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins)
    Karen Malina White
    Karen Malina White
    • Kaneesha Carter
    Karina Arroyave
    Karina Arroyave
    • Maria
    Ivonne Coll
    Ivonne Coll
    • Mrs. Santos
    Regina Taylor
    Regina Taylor
    • Mrs. Carter
    Michael P. Moran
    • Mr. O'Malley
    John Ring
    • Fire Chief Gaines
    Tyrone Jackson
    • Clarence
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Michael Schiffer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews108

    7.425K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Lean on Me' Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus.

    Nulla facilisi etiam dignissim diam quis enim lobortis scelerisque
    Lorem ipsum dolorSit amet consecteturAdipiscing elitSed do eiusmodTempor incididuntUt labore et doloreMagna aliquaUt enim ad minimVeniam quisNostrud exercitation
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    Related interests

    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Psychological Drama
    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      Morgan Freeman spent time with the real-life Joe Clark to capture his mannerisms and sayings.
    • Goofs
      The practice exam booklet reads "New Jersey Minimun Basic Skills Tests"...probably the last place the school board (or the film's producers) would want a spelling error.
    • Quotes
      • Joe Clark: [in a conference room at city hall] I don't have time for Mrs. Elliott's problem!
      • Dr. Frank Napier: You better make time!
      • Joe Clark: We are being crucified by a process that is turning blacks into a permanent underclass here, Frank. A permanent underclass!
      • [Dr. Napier turns away from him and puts some papers in his briefcase]
      • Joe Clark: See! See, nobody wants to talk about that! NOBODY! Mrs. Elliott's missionary zeal about Mozart has nothing to do with our problem. Nothing! What good is Mozart going to do a bunch of children who can't go out and get a job?
      • Dr. Frank Napier: Joe, your personal battles are gonna cost us the war. Worry about the test scores.
      • Joe Clark: WHAT THE HELL YOU THINK I'M WORRIED ABOUT?
      • Dr. Frank Napier: END OF DISCUSSION! Debate is over! You will write a formal apology!
      • Joe Clark: I will what?
      • Dr. Frank Napier: A formal apology for your treatment of Mrs. Elliott and Darnell and for your vicious and thoughtless insults to the women of this community! You will kow tow. You will step and fetch!
      • Joe Clark: If you think that I'm gonna...
      • Dr. Frank Napier: [slams briefcase shut] Get used to it! It's the WAY OF THE WORLD! If you're so hot on discipline, then goddammit
      • [pounds on briefcase]
      • Dr. Frank Napier: start by accepting mine because contrary to popular opinion, I'M THE HEAD NIGGER IN CHARGE!
      • [He grabs his briefcase and heads for the door]
      • Dr. Frank Napier: Come on, let's get something to eat.
      • Joe Clark: [following him to the door and walking out with him] Boy... you really think you bad, don't you?
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper: New York Stories/Farewell to the King/Lean on Me/Out Cold (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Lean on Me
      Performed by Thelma Houston and The Winans
      Produced by Richard Perry
      Courtesy of Qwest Records
      Written by Bill Withers

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    Details

    • Release date
      • March 3, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Apóyate en mí
    • Filming locations
      • The Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA(school where Joe Clark is teaching)
    • Production companies
      • Norman Twain Productions
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $31,906,454
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,032,605
      • Mar 5, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $31,906,454
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 1h 48m(108 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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