Lean On Me...

At first, this movie seemed to be one of those movies that I would not really watch even if I have the free time. The reasons are it is kind of old, the colour was not so clear and it is just not my type of movie. But to watch beyond all those reason is what the real deal is. As for the entertainment value, this movie should be in the list because it has all the elements that an entertaining movie has to have. Comedy, suspense, drama, all these can be witnessed in the movie. As it the setting takes place in a suburban area, the students in the school are mostly African-Americans and some of them are South Americans. Their slang is one of the entertainments in this movie. Moreover, the incidents that happen in the movie serve as the fun lesson for the audience as it makes them laugh and think at the same time. This is how an entertaining movie should be.

Personally, I feel that this movie is a little bit exaggerated. I do not know the real situation in that country or specifically, that part of the state. But, I was taken by surprise to see the condition of the school. It really reminds me of how it will be when I go to school and start my career as a teacher. For me, first impression is always important. If the first school that I’m going to teach will be in that condition, then, I should see my way out of this noble profession soon because I could not take it even when I watch it in the movie. You can always control what happens in the movie but when it comes to reality, you cannot predict what will happen. That is why watching the movie really scares me.

Principal Clark acted by Morgan Freeman is really the concrete pillar that holds the movie together. He is the boss and he acts like one. His best weapons are his self-composure and the persuasive speech that one can never avoid. He constantly pushes his staffs and everyone has to work their sweat off. It really looks harsh but at the end, the result is something that no one had expected. The school passed the Basic Skill Test and that is all Principal Clark needed. He really reminds me of my Secondary school principal, Tuan Haji Farid. If Morgan Freeman’s power is his speech, Tuan Hj Farid’s power is silence. Whenever he passes by the classes, students will even try not to breath. When he gives speech, it seems to be normal, but to think of it now, I can see the dedication and the hopes that he has for the students and the school’s achievement. The fear that we had for him made us go all out and it made our school one of the best performing school in state of Pahang academically and also in co-curricular activities. He is truly one of the best Principal that I have seen.

What I have learnt from this movie is that, at times, to fight terrorism, we need to be one of them. That is what Principal Clark has done. He did not give mercy to any of the problematic students until they realize their mistakes and come asking for a second chance. But that does not mean that I can constantly push everyone around me to do the work that I wanted. I learnt to press the right button at the right time. I also understand the power of persuasion. Speeches given by Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi prove to be the best examples, these people are my inspiration and I will adapt their skills so that I can persuade my students as well. Of course, even if not the whole school, I will try my best to change at least a bunch of students. This goes into my to-do list when I start my career as a teacher and I will make sure that my students will remember me as I remember the teachers that made me change my life.

Lean On Me Lyrics

Songwriter: Bill Withers

Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tommorow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won't let show

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand (Chorus)
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Second Verse
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand (Chorus)
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on

If there is a load you need to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me

Call me (if you need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (if you need a friend)
Call me (if you ever need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me
Call me (if you need a friend)

Lean On Me Lyrics © Interior Music Corp