The Ron Clark Story

I've been a fan of Mattew Perrys ever since Friends first aired on TV, and I make it a point to try and see any movie he makes. However, it's sometimes a bit...what's the word...sad (I guess) to see him play "Chandler" over and over again. As much as I like that character, it would be fun to see him play something else. That's that.

As for The Ron Clarke Story, with Perry as Ron Clarke, there are certain Chandler-qualities about Clarke. But more in terms of body-language than anything else - and I guess that would be Perry himself "shining through". For the most part it's a standalone part for Perry, a good long step away from "Chandler Bing". It's a really sweet story about a substitute teacher who goes through hell and back for his students (consisting of worst-case-scenario kids). It's an inspiring story, and you really wish it would always be that "easy" to get kids out of trouble and onto the right path.

Perry is good, he almost always is, and the kids are actually believable. True, sometimes you wish Clarke would just give the snotnose kids a "feel of the back of his hand" - but I guess that would be the easiest (and most faulty) way to go.

The Ron Clarke Story is a feelgood-film, and it does just that. It makes you feel good.

In addition: Any film that makes schoolteaching look like fun deserves a whole heap of credit.

I am not a movie or TV critic, and I won't pretend to be. I will say that as just a normal person without any special credentials, I absolutely love this movie. It gives you this great feeling when you watch it, and I was shocked by Matthew Perry's performance. Having before only thought of him as the "Friends" guy his new personality took me completely by surprise. Overall, I thought that as a TV movie it is very much worth the time spent watching it. I had a great time and I'm sure that you will too.

The storyline is well developed and while there are a few unrealistic points, I think that it's very good. The children were portrayed very realistically, as were the challenges of teaching such a group. Knowing that it was a true story only heightened my enjoyment of the entire movie.

Because of the above said reasons I gave this a ten out ten. The movie isn't very action filled, and there isn't much romance, but I think that it's one of the best movies that I have seen in quite a long time.

I hope you will take this review seriously when choosing whether to watch this movie.

Thank you.

Decided to seek this out due to Matthew Perry's untimely death. I had always admired him - he always carried a warmth and liveability in his roles and this translates to his role of Ron Clark.

He delivers an understated performance - gone are the wise cracks of Chandler from Friends (although there are moments of humour). Based a true story, this is a inspirational run of the mill lifetime movie but it is elevated by Perry and his supporting cast of students. It was an uplifting watch and I would thoroughly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Perry and is looking to remember him in a positive light. This is his film and he carries it.

Not often these days do we get earnest films that are more than a formula (Glory Road comes to mind). The Ron Clark Story didn't reinvent the wheel, yet this made-for-TV movie was full of heart and positiveness. Matthew Perry managed to find a brilliant ballance between the pressure of being a teacher in a tough, intense neighborhood, with all the serious outcomes, and the joy and excitement of bringing a clever new teaching style to help the kids swallow the often-dry materials of history, math, etc.

I recommend this film not because it's in anyway ground-breaking, but simply because it has innocence that are hardly found in today's big budget films.

I saw this by chance on tv one night and was very impressed. Mathew Perry shook off the Chandler typecast and excelled in this role. This film, along with Ian Hart's Clockwork Mice, should be on the curriculum of every teacher training college course. They really capture the essence of what teaching is and why great teachers do it. Waking up to the tragic news that Mathew Perry had passed away this morning, I hope more people watch this movie and realise what a talented actor he was. The story is similar to most teacher centred films. A mild-mannered teacher moves to a tough inner city school and after initial difficulties wins over the class and helps them reach their potential. Watch it though. It's great.