Film Review

The Ron Clark Story (2006)

Director: Randa Haines

Cast: Matthew Perry as Ron Clark, Brandon Mychal Smith as Tayshawn, Hannah Hodson as Shameika, Micah Stephen Williams as Julio, Ernie Hudson as Principal Turner, Melissa De Sousa as Marissa Vega, Patricia Idlette as Devina, Judith Buchan as Snowden School Principal

Genre: Drama, Television

Settings: United States, New York City, Harlem

Review: A teacher in junior school, Ron Clark (Matthew Perry), differed from other teachers by his innovative methods so that his pupils always got the best results in education, got the highest score. Having left the home-town, North Carolina, the man moved to New York City for teaching in a public school. But he found it difficult to get a teaching position and for some time had to work as a waiter at a local restaurant. The door opened when Ron got a job at the Harlem Elementary School and took to educate the most unruly class of the sixth grade. Clark used a completely new approach to education, establishing his own rules. He tried to train the children to believe in themselves and their abilities, be one family, trust and help each other. But despite his experience, it became difficult for Ron Clark to reach mutual understanding with difficult children, as most of them were from disadvantaged families, they were aggressive, some of them had problems with law. However, the teacher didn't give up, he believed in them. Thus several months later the man could become not only a friend for the children but also instill necessary knowledge and change their lives to better. In the end of the academic year Ron gave the children free tickets to the musicale Phantom of the Opera. All of them were so excited that some, looking at the program, told each other the plot, while the boy (Brandon Mychal Smith), fascinated by drawing graffiti, even drew a shape of a Ghost on the wall of his room, for which was beaten by his step-father. And having sat the final examinations, the pupils got the highest score in the area, and regarded Ron Clark as their best teacher.

   It’s an open secret that nowadays there’re a great number of biopic films but not all of them can award the status of the best. However, this film deserves it, definitely. And first of all, it’s due to the work of the director - Randa Haines, - who was able to turn the movie into a masterpiece. This picture is very simple, it lacks the modern visual effects (which are inherent in almost all Hollywood films). As the film is based on real events so there aren't for example, super beautiful surroundings of the city, the teacher’s glamorous and expensive apartment, they can just spoil the film. So these things make the picture more realistic, transporting us in the life of the main characters.

   Separately I would like to draw your attention on a good selection of actors and their incredible performances. In this movie, Matthew Perry appeared to me from a completely different side - as a serious actor, embodying the true image of Ron Clark. However, his comicality doesn't disappear: when he read rap to the children about the presidents of America, teaches them Grammar, etc. On the one hand, it looks very unusual, but, on the other - very effective - how else can you motivate such children?! It’s impossible not to sympathize with such a man! Besides, he has a gift to draw everybody's attention, he knows how to persuade. All in all, his participation proves the fact that he just gets used to this role, even his voice, intonation, gestures and mimicry transfer his mood.

   So in conclusion, I’d like to say that the name of Ron Clark was unknown for me before watching the picture, so all the information about the teacher-innovator and his methods I've got to know from the film. Thus I was very impressed: during the whole film a smile played on my face, but at the same time there was a sense of pride, joy and elation, because Ron Clark is the example of the true teachers and educators who overcome the obstacles that hinder education and bring our society down.