The transitional age we all suffered through were our formative years, during High School. This is where you learn what you believe is wrong and what you didn't believed is even more wrong. It's at this very trying time, one learns in order to survive, one must adapt, ignore the obvious and embrace the impossible. This film called " Charlie Bartlett " deals with all those issues and more. It begins with young Charlie (Anton Yelchin) a teen who dreams of becoming the most popular boy in school. The reality is definitely the opposite. Although rich and spoiled by his dotting mother, Charlie who has caused so much trouble in private schools, has been transferred to public education. Here he begins by being out of place, out of step and out of touch. Between becoming a bully's (Murphey Bivens) daily punching bag and dreaming of popularity, his efforts only land him in the arms of a shrink who proscribes a plethora of pharmaceutical drugs. Realizing their true value with the student body, he not only starts selling drugs, but becomes a peer confident. The change of life brings many rewards, and growing popularity but unfortunately closer to the troubled Principal (Robert Downey Jr.) and his rebellious daughter (Kat Dennings). All the characters have issues and our hero makes use of his substantial gifts of persuasion. The movie is surprisingly interesting and should not be underrated. It's a fun film and one which holds the attention of multi generational audiences. Recommended to anyone with an open mind. ***

Story of a spoiled rich kid who begins to sell Ritalin and advice to the student body of his new high school. In doing so he begins to find himself and his life.

What you think of the film will depend on what you think of Anton Yelchin as Bartlett. To some he's a charming rogue, to me he comes off as an insufferable twit in the same way that Frank Albertson could be annoying in the B movies of the 1930's and 40's. I found him abrasive and had an impossible time getting through the film. To be certain the film is witty but with out a central character you care about all the clever lines in the world will fall flat, which was what happened here. In all honesty give me Juno any day.

Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) is a smart rich kid who is new to public school. He's been kicked out of every private school. His father is in prison. He gets picked on but feels above it all. He doesn't fit in until he starts selling his prescriptions to his fellow students. He starts diagnosing them as a self-proclaimed doctor. His mother (Hope Davis) is a mess. Susan (Kat Dennings) is principal Nathan Gardner (Robert Downey Jr.)'s daughter.

I'm not usually a fan of Anton Yelchin. He always has a bit of a smirk. That's what comes across with this Charlie Bartlett. He's a bit smug and it's not appealing. He feels above everybody else. If you do it like Ferris Bueller, it's fun. This is not that. I suppose it's a smirky indie. It has its moments. It's nothing hilarious but I did smirk once or twice.