is a nice dream
By REVIEWBY TAY L O R VA NARSDALE NEWRELEASES
I want to be “Charlie Bartlett”... and after seeing this film — so will you. Screenwriter Gustin Nash has constructed a hilarious yet provocative tale with true-to-life, identifiable characters, tapping into our most basic need — to be liked, to be popular.
Protagonist Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) is an extraordinarily wealthy high school nerd turned entrepreneur, turned friend to his dysfunctional high school peers; a young man with a vision as well as the monetary ability and moxie to reach his highly suspect and illegal goals — but what’s a little psychiatric drug dealing between friends? Bartlett’s intentions are pure and his eternal optimism contagious.
When we meet our hero, he has managed to be expelled from every private school he’s attended. Now at public school, he’s getting his ass kicked by the menacing school bully (brilliantly played by Tyler Hilton). But Bartlett’s confidence coupled with his intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit leads him to work out a unique solution to his problems; hanging his “therapy shingle” in the boy’s restroom, doling out psy-chotropic drugs proffered from his own psychiatric sessions (cleverly engaging Hilton as his unlikely business partner) while listening to the private confessions of his classmates — gaining unforeseen popularity. Oh, there’s romance and rebellion, and an orgiastic drug-induced high school dance scene — it’s everything you’d expect from a great comedy and much more.
Talented director Jon Poll knows exactly how to tell a story, crafting an emotional piece with dark undertones while simultaneously filling us with just the right blend of light and humor. Yeltsin has the uncanny ability to portray the imprudent Bartlett with a comedic edge that both surprises and delights; you’re never sure what he’ll do next. Easily on his way to becoming this generation’s Kevin Kline — Yeltsin’s an adaptable, dynamic and versatile performer who almost steals his scenes with Robert Downey Jr. (almost). Downey is perfectly (and ironically) cast as the middle-aged father/principal/authority figure (like I said, “ironic”) struggling with his relationship with his estranged daughter (Kat Dennings), his alcohol problem and a job he loathes. Nash’s dialogue is honest and funny. You’ll laugh out loud at Denning’s deadpan delivery especially when she describes her father’s bizarre behavior and fascination with electronic toy boats, saying, “It’s as if someone said, ‘Hey you! You’re crazy. Chill out and get a hobby.’”
There’s something for everyone in “Charlie Bartlett” — so go see it. Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to stock up on some Ritalin. See you at the high school gym in my bra and panties!
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 15, 2008. Read the original PDF.