Review #1

The Ron Clark Story

The Ron Clark Story  is a 2006 television film, starring Matthew Perry, that premiered on TNT on Sunday, August 13, 2006. The film received largely positive reviews, with particular praise going to Perry's portrayal. It was nominated for three 2007 Emmy Awards, including "Outstanding Made For Television Movie", "Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special" and "Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie" for Perry. Additionally, Perry was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award and the Screen Actors Guild Award for "Best Actor".

The Ron Clark Story follows the inspiring tale of an energetic, creative and idealistic young teacher who leaves his small North Carolina hometown to teach in a New York City public school. Through his passionate use of special rules for his classroom, highly innovative teaching techniques and an undying devotion to his students and helping them cope with their problems, Clark is able to make a remarkable difference in the lives of his students. For one young girl trying to attend school while helping to raise her 3 kids, he offers a chance for her to overcome her situation and become the top student of the class. For a young man with a penchant for graffiti, he offers an ideal outlet for artistic expression. Even when he is almost overcome by pneumonia, Clark continues to work with his students, hoping that he can raise their test scores to an acceptable level, or possibly even higher.
However, when Clark returns, he finds out his class did not deliver the goods but he remains optimistic about their chances. The kids sit in the state exams and a few weeks later, Clark takes the kids to see The Phantom of the Opera. In the end, Principal Turner reveals that Mr. Clark's class got the highest average (they got a higher score than the honor class) in the school and Clark was regarded by his students as their best teacher.

Speaking about acting I enjoyed seeing Matthew Perry in a different role but most of all enjoyed watching a story of a man who wouldn't give up on kids, even though tempted.We can observe a tagline, “No one believed in them except him" within the story , because Clark was the only person who believed in them and who really interested in these children. The young actors also gave great performances including Hannah Hodson as Shameika, Brandon Smith as Tayshawn and Micah Williams as Julio among others.

As for directing , the story is shown as amotivating and inspirational one. Films like this are nothing new but it is the simple story behind this one combined with the charm of Perry that allows it to stand out from the others.

In conclusion I'd like to say that I felt like The Ron Clark Story gives its audience hope for a better tomorrow, if we would only step out on faith. Mr. Perry does a great job telling the story of Ron Clark and his relationship with the students. Mr. Hudson gives the audience a honest view of how so many of us tend to give up when we feel beat down by the system, but Perry is the angel that saves not only the kids in his class but the parents, as well. Every child should be required to watch this movie for inspiration and hope for better tomorrows. Bravo to the network, writers, producers and actors in this movie.