Robert Downey Jr. and Hope Davis deliver the best of this movie. Aton Yelchin (as the title character), who I've liked in previous films, turns an annoying and aggravating performance here. To understand all that Anton Yelchin has to offer in terms of film acting, rent ALPHA DOG and skip this.
The character-development is achieved with clichés. You have the bully, his sidekick, the pretty cheerleader, the nonconformist condemning the school's security cameras, the suicidal student, the jock, and the pretty girl who sees something in the nerdy new kid, Charlie Bartlett.
The movie's not a total loss; there are some funny scenes, such as the idea of Mrs. Barlett (Hope Davis) having a psychiatrist on call. And the principal (Robert Downey Jr.) has a humorous exchange with Charlie, after informing him his shenanigans put someone in the hospital.
The character-development is achieved with clichés. You have the bully, his sidekick, the pretty cheerleader, the nonconformist condemning the school's security cameras, the suicidal student, the jock, and the pretty girl who sees something in the nerdy new kid, Charlie Bartlett.
The movie's not a total loss; there are some funny scenes, such as the idea of Mrs. Barlett (Hope Davis) having a psychiatrist on call. And the principal (Robert Downey Jr.) has a humorous exchange with Charlie, after informing him his shenanigans put someone in the hospital.