Charlie Bartlett

May 16 2008 The Journal

(1hr 36mins) Starring: Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr, Hope Davis,. Director: Jon Poll

THIS is a bittersweet schooldays comedy about a rebellious teenager battling his demons with the help of psychiatric drugs, which he also exploits for personal gain.

He learns first-hand that a handful of pills is a quick-fix solution with dangerous side effects, and all his classmates really need is someone willing to listen to their problems. Troubled teenager Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) is bereft of a guiding paternal light. Craving attention, Charlie rebels against authority. Then, he’s expelled from a private school and braves the strict social hierarchy of public high school.

He quickly realises he can turn his outsider status to his advantage, transforming the boy’s toilets into an office and doling out second-hand psychiatric advice and drugs to fellow students to help them come to terms with the pressures of fitting in.

Charlie’s popularity soars and he woos classmate Susan, whose father is Principal Gardner (Robert Downey Jr). But when the ‘counselling service’ inspires students to rebel against Gardner, Charlie realises he may have gone too far.

The film is a timely rites-of-passage story, sweetening the bitter pill of the laconic hero’s journey of self-discovery with droll humour and tender romance.

Yelchin delivers a winning lead performance. He forges a wonderful screen partnership with Downey Jr.

Beautifully scripted scenes, in which the two actors bare their characters’ damaged souls, are deeply moving. Supporting performances are equally strong, not least a hysterical turn by Hope Davis as Charlie’s unfit mother.