MovieChat Forums > Charlie Bartlett (2008) Discussion > Did Any Of You Like Charlie?

Did Any Of You Like Charlie?


Are we supposed to like Charlie? Half of the time, I wanted to slap the ish out of him.

Amanda: "Aren't you gay?"
Nick: "Only around you"
- Ugly Betty

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No.

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I just saw this film last night and really enjoyed it---the only reason I even knew it existed was because I get CBC Channel 9 from Windsor here in Detroit, and I saw a trailer for the film a few times (it didn't get released here in the U.S. for some reason) and so naturally I thought, "Hm, this must be a Canadian flick,since it's only getting advertised on a Canadian channel". And since I like Canadian flicks, I watched it the first chance I got to rent it out. I enjoyed the film---it was quite offbeat and Charlie's character was pretty engaging and delightful---it was refreshing to see a rich kid that wasn't portrayed as a snobbish know-it-all, who was actually kind of sweet & eccentric (and a little manipulative when he had to be.). The thing with Charlie, I think, is that he simply wanted to be popular,and he also had some issues with his father not being around. In fact he says at one point in the film that he didn't know where he fit in anywhere, so that's why he did the things he did (however, I believe that if he was anyone but a rich white boy, there's no way in hell he would have gotten away with doing what he did---slanging drugs in the school bathroom, I mean).

Does anyone know why this film didn't get any distribution in the U.S.? You'd think that since Robert Downey Jr. has been in 2 major box office hits this past year, they would have capitaized on his role in this (he's good as usual as the ex-alcoholic principal) since he's the only real big name in it, but that didn't happen. I also thought it was hilarious how he appointed himself the school's unofficial shrink (that was touching and funny at the same time).
Also, the characters came off like REAL teenagers for a change, not like Hollywood's idea of what a teenager is supposed to be--they even looked more real than the average so-called teens you see in these kind of movies. All in all, I really enjoyed it and I would recommend it ( especially if you like Canadian films).

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It got distribution in the US but it was limited. I saw it in theaters.

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[deleted]

charlie is so me.
his whole personality is exactly the same as mine

-- --
Alexis Bledel
Camilla Belle
Megan Fox
Kristen Bell

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Yes, I liked Charlie.
He was a nice, bright young man who wanted to relate to people.
I know I can relate to that.

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i absolutely adored him

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I loved him.

Nothing makes one so vain as being told they're a sinner

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Nope. Also wanted to slap him.

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Saw it on showtime I liked him too. reminded of me too

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I loved him. Maybe you personally have a problem with this type of person. I am so glad that he wasn't stereotypically portrayed. I think the writing and the acting are both to thank for that. He is smart, quirky, and sensitive (for lack of a better term i suppose!!)





"Trying to pull myself away. I'm caught in a pattern and I can't escape."

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[deleted]

I could not stop laughing when I saw that...and watched it probably 10 times over. Hysterical!

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The reason I liked Charlie so much in this is because he genuinely wanted to help the kids in his school when no one else would listen. Sure, he gave out prescription drugs illegally, and had a knack for getting into trouble, but he really felt for these people and was there when no one else was.

And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got heroin.

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I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with this statement but it can be argued that Charlie was pretty selfish in his quest for popularity and while he was helping people he was doing it so he could be liked.. at least for the majority of the film.

"It's life. It's real and sometimes it fvckin' hurts.. but it's kind of all we have"
-Garden State

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i loved charlie and this movie. he is now one of my favorite movie characters, mostly because he was exactly my freshman and sophomore year roommate. it was uncanny how similar they were. So, that could have affected how I felt about charlie, but, regardless of the reasoning, i thought he was really great, earnest, and just wanted to help people and be liked

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I would marry Charlie (Anton Yelchin) if I could.

in spite of everything, I still believe people are good at heart. -Anne Frank

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