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Of all the Friends
alumni, Perry displayed the most potential - a man with all the facial
comedic skills of Jim Carrey, as well as all the boyish charm of
Michael J. Fox. However, like the Fox, Matthew Perry's demise has come
down to poor film choices and flicks which, for whatever reason, just
didn't seem to find an audience.
And while The Ron Clark Story isn't a turkey on the scale of David Schwimmer's Breast Men (the fact is, Clark is a pretty likable flick) - it ain't exactly a ticket to the Hollywood A-List.
Nominated for a Golden Globe and a slew of Emmy's, The Ron Clark Story (also known as The Triumph
in some countries) follows the inspiring true tale of an energetic,
creative and idealistic young teacher who leaves his small hometown in
hopes to teach at a needy New York City public school.
It's
pretty much another "Special Teacher, Bad Students with Potential"
flick from there on in. Through his passionate use of special rules for
his classroom, highly innovative teaching techniques (such as chugging
large quantities of milk if the kids can stay quiet) and an undying
devotion to his students (Clark goes above and beyond to meet up with
his students after school...which in today's society would likely be an
arrestable offence) and helping them cope with their problems, Clark is
able to make a remarkable difference in the lives of his students.
It's
cheesy/heart warming TV movie fun at it's best, the only major problem
being...well...we've seen it all before. And that's not an
exaggeration. It's essentially Dead Poets Society, Sister Act, Dangerous Minds or Coach Carter except with Perry in place of Robin Williams or Whoopi Goldberg.
That's not to say that The Ron Clark Story isn't watchable, because it is very
watchable. It still gives you the tingles at all the right points, it
gives you the chance to say "I'm not crying, theres something in my
eye" as the film reaches it's predictable conclusion, it's a perfect
afternoon easy to watch flick - but it's just all to familiar.
And
it's a shame, because Perry is fantastic here, and he is really being
wasted in this colour-by-numbers fare. Perhaps, like Michael J Fox,
Perry's future lies in a return to TV (let's face it Fox only really
thrived in Family Ties and Spin City - with likable flicks like Doc Hollywood, Life With Mikey and anything post BTTF bombing at the Box Office) and not with likeable-yet-unsuccessful flicks like Serving Sara, The Whole Ten Yards and Three To Tango.
He's a man that deserves to be recognised for his talents, and while The Ron Clark Story gives him something to work with, it's not a world beater.
Great as a Sunday afternoon matinee with a coffee and Tim Tams!
EXTRAS
From
what we received, there doesn't look like there are any special
features on offer (but tell me of one TV Movie-to-DVD release that
does).
Conclusion:
Movie 65% Extras: N/A
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