Preview: Charlie Bartlett's Day Off

By Connect Mason Reporter Emily Culley

Every high schooler dreams of being the most popular, well-loved kid in the school. Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) is no exception in some regards, and every exception in many. From a patchwork past of various boarding schools and elite private schools, Bartlett comes from tons of money and even more wit, charm and charisma.

A lot of critics and avid movie goers are comparing Charlie Bartlett (R) to the 1980s hit, Ferris Beuller's Day Off. Both protagonists love to piss off authority as much as the next sheepishly handsome intellect. And there are differences...

At the end of Ferris Beuller's Day Off, there is just an ending to a comical day in the life of one of the most popular students in the high school. That's another catch, it only took place in the course of a day. Charlie Bartlett, on the other hand, teaches the audience something, there is a definite pay off at the end of the movie.

With Charlie Bartlett there is an understanding of growing up as a teenager with parents who don't necessarily know how to deal with the changes in your life, as well as some unplanned changes in theirs. The movie faces serious issues such as drug use (both remedial and medical), alcoholism, suicide, pressure to have sex, etc...

These issues are dealt with in hand, the characters are left to bask in the consequences and pick up the pieces. Additionally, the movie stresses the importance of art foundation in the public schools—featuring a short play to close the movie and sum up the message, which was written, directed, produced, and starred many of the students.

On the downside, there were a couple of unbelievable parts. There were some parts where I was sure the characters were setting up another character, when in fact it was just bad timing in the plot and terribly obvious prop placements. The downsides do not nearly outweigh the good sides of the movie; which dominate the majority of the plot.

If you're worried that the plot may be more dramatic than comical, stop worrying. It's not. The drama is eloquently woven throughout many comical moments. Finally, the movie features Cat Steven's classic “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out,” not once—but twice. How could anyone not love a movie which features that song twice? A-