It may because of my age, but I love teen comedies. There’s something about the crazy plots, weird humor and predictable situations that make me laugh during even the worst films. Unfortunately, teen movies have fallen into a monotonous trend, where new ideas are simply nonexistent. But with the success of “Juno” came the realization that the old troubles of teen life can be made fresh again. Since “Juno’s” quirky wit quickly won me over, I naturally had high hopes for the prescription drug antics in “Charlie Bartlett.” Anton Yelchin plays the titular character in “Charlie Bartlett”, a wealthy teen boy too smart for his own good. After getting busted for printing fake I.D.s in his room, Charlie is kicked out of his preparatory school. Because Charlie’s schemes have led to his expulsion from every major private school in the area, Charlie’s mother, Marilyn Bartlett (Hope Davis), has no option but to enroll him in the local public school. Wearing a suit and quoting Latin on his first day, Charlie manages to get beaten up within hours. Fearing for her son’s safety, Marilyn calls the family physiatrist, who quickly prescribes Charlie with Ritalin. After getting high off the drug, Charlie decides to sell it at school to gain popularity, and becomes a dealer of medication to cure all sorts of “teen” issues: depression, A.D.D. and even panic attacks. While Charlie helps everyone else sort out their problems, he must face his own demons. With a jailed father and a mother who takes her medication with a glass of wine, Charlie is left to his own supervision, which often leads to his getting into trouble with the school’s Principal Gardner (Robert Downey Jr.). Soon, the alcoholic principle is trying to shut down Charlie while the student body rallies behind their makeshift doctor. When taken at face value, “Charlie Bartlett” can come across as shallow; a teen boy cures illnesses illegally with prescription drugs while fighting against “the Man.” But, despite the seemingly trite topic, everything in this film has a glossy finish to it. “Charlie Bartlett” really is “prescription perfect.” Telling the story in an innovative way, newbie director Jon Poll decided to film the movie in vignettes that are separated with quick cuts using film and music. The result is a unique sound that blends seamlessly with the picture, often enhancing what you are watching. Hip music and sharp editing doesn’t break up the flow, but rather keeps you interested through the somewhat slow bits. However, given the long setup of the story, “Charlie Bartlett” can hit slumps. Luckily, the actors consistently manage to keep the storyline from becoming stagnant. Yelchin plays his eccentric role with a depth that proves him to be a credible actor. Adding to the insanity, both Davis and Downey Jr. make you believe that maybe Charlie is acting out with good reason. As the authority figures, Davis’ and Downey Jr’s characters should be the rational leaders. And yet, the little nuances they add to their parts, the slight ticks in their behavior, make you question their sanity. All of these performances delve deeper into what this movie is trying to get at. In the end, you’re left wondering what the “moral” is, and here’s where “Charlie Bartlett” might lose interest. It’s easy to walk away from this movie and conclude that it’s all about drugs, sex and fitting in. And, for the first half of the film, I thought that too. But those themes are nothing more than the background stories which add complexity the plot. Rather, “Charlie Bartlett” asks a deeper question. “How are kids supposed to ‘grow up’ when the adults around them are still behaving as children themselves?” This question is the one thing pushing everything forward. It’s the basis for the film, and without it, “Charlie Bartlett” would just be another bad teen comedy. Using sarcastic humor and sentiment, “Charlie Bartlett” becomes more than just a teen movie. It relates to people of all ages and backgrounds while entertaining throughout. It’s a movie that will stick with you and, just like the drugs Charlie deals out, will leave you wanting more. Grade: 5+
