'Charlie Bartlett' a worthwhile watch

Cert 15

Comedy/Romance

Deeply troubled teenager Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) has no paternal influence to guide him (the old man is in prison for tax evasion) and a wealthy mother (Hope Davis) spends entire days in a drug-induced haze.

Craving affection and attention, Charlie rebels against authority at his high school. At first, he is a prime target for bully Murphy Bivens (Tyler Hilton), but the new boy soon realises he can turn his outsider status to his advantage, doling out second-hand psychiatric advice and psychotropic drugs to fellow students.

Charlie Bartlett is a timely rites of passage story, sweetening the bitter pill of the laconic hero’s journey of self-discovery with droll humour and tender romance.

Star rating: 4/5