Last night I rented Charlie Bartlett on DVD. I had seen the previews at the time of its theatrical release and thought it looked good. It just fell in one of the months I didn’t go to the cinema. So, I was looking forward to this one.
The story follows the titular character through the tale of moving from a private school, out of which he is expelled for forging driver’s licenses for other classmates. He is moved to a public school, where stereotypes are abundant and Charlie is oblivious. From here we’re taken through Charlie’s attempts at fitting in and fixing everybody’s lives.
I tried very hard to love this movie, but came out only liking it. It just felt like Rushmore, without a majority of what makes Rushmore such a brilliant movie.
The lead character, played very well by Anton Yelchin, felt to me as if the writer had taken himself or someone more matured and turned that person into a child. Charlie’s tastes, actions and general demeanour just didn’t fit any 17 year old I’ve ever met. The other characters, however, felt slightly more believable.
Overall, it wasn’t the movie I’d hoped for but it showed signs of almost hitting the right notes. I’m looking forward to Gustin Nash’s next screenplay, based on the brilliant Nick Twisp stories: Youth in Revolt by C.D. Payne - that should turn out to be a must see, I’m very much anticipating that one!
