The Ron Clark Story

This was a very pleasant surprise for me over the Christmas break even at the time it was screened at 06.00 am, lucky I got up early! Rarely am I so taken with a film such as this, but obviously the story line really got me, as did the excellent acting by all the cast, the kids were just great, and utterly convincing.

I was also pleased to discover the film was based on fact, and I was pleased that these rebel children went on to greater things, would not the world be a much better place if there were More Mr Clark's around? Not just in teaching but in all walks of life, especially in politics and industry.

Honesty is in very short supply these days, now I am rambling so will pack in, surely my ten lines are complete?

"The Ron Clark Story" is a movie which is based on the true story life of Ron Clark and the work that he did.

Matthew Perry makes one of his best interpretations if not the best as a school teacher who relocates to one of the toughest classrooms in the country in Inner Harlem Elementary School. This classroom is the most disadvantaged class which exist in whole of the school and that was something that Ron Clark considered as challenge to succeed.

I liked this movie very much because it shows us what a teacher has to do to educate some children who are really tough. It is also shows us what a teacher has to endure to succeed to his work and how difficult this is 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.

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.

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.