Park It Chuck! We're Reading This Blog

Name: Charlie Bartlett
Actors: Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis, Kat Dennings
Director: Jon Poll
Release Date: 22 February 2008

Charlie Bartlett is the story of a boy who desperately wanted to be liked by his peers at any cost, including making fake driving licenses, selling medicine, selling DVDs of various students getting beat up by Murphy, throwing a party, and offering psychological advice from the comfort of the stalls in the boy's bathroom. While he gets in trouble for doing most of these things, he continues to act as a counselor for his peers to help them and get them to like him.
     His excuse? Being popular and well-liked is one of the most important things he needs/wants from his high school experience.  No one is able to convince him otherwise, even though his mother tries to say that there is more to life than that. 

In doing these things, Charlie's dream comes true. He is the most popular boy in school. Somewhere along the way, however, Charlie's dream changes. He becomes attached to the students he helps and wants to help them in every way he can, especially Susan Gardner.
     This isn't it out of character for him -- he is constantly helping his mom and arguably assumes a kind of parental role for her.
     It is interesting, however, that while Charlie can help all of these different people, he is unable to help himself, especially where is his father is concerned. Charlie needs to get to a point where he can finally visit his father and not stay in the car unable to go inside with his mother.
          Maybe he needs someone to talk to as well. He does have a psychiatrist, but their relationship isn't that open or helpful.

Moving on . . .

The music used for this movie is fantastic. It was jazzy and cool -- it really fit the movie well.

The cast is wonderful too. And I have to give props to Anton for all of his hard work with his accent and what not.

I love this movie now. I didn't at first because of the place I was in my life, but I've overcome that so I can fully appreciate the movie.
      It really is a wonderful film.