This relatively inexpensive flick still suffered a net loss at the box office, and both critics and general audiences had mixed opinions of it. Why did I check it out? Because someone left the DVD lying around. I can be easy to influence that way.
Spoiled rich Charlie (Anton Yelchin) has been expelled many times, most recently for selling fake IDs. His mom (Hope Davis) finally enrolls him in a public high school, where he stands out as the only student to dress formally. He gets the idea to fake out his many psychiatrists, acquire prescription drugs, and sell them to classmates in apparent need, in addition to offering his own advice. He becomes quite popular and even makes a business partner out of the guy who first physically bullies him (Tyler Hilton). But Principal Gardner (Robert Downey, Jr.) is leery of such a shady character, especially one who starts dating his daughter (Kat Dennings).
I'd say that's a pretty edgy premise. On one hand, Charlie does seem to care about everybody, not just seek widespread approval, and many can't or won't get professional help. OTOH, Gardner's quite right that amateur pharmaceutical practice is dangerous. Charlie has his concerning personal issues, but I feel sorrier for Gardner, who tries to instill discipline but faces so much disrespect from all sides that he became an alcoholic (oof, that sheds light on the casting).
This highlights a flaw in the film: It struggles to find the right balance between comedy and drama. The tone tends to be awfully lighthearted for such a serious topic, albeit without going far enough over the line to shock many viewers into laughter. (For an early example of the humor, Charlie's mom is implied to have accidentally let his pet fish starve to death.) Sometimes the story seems heartwarming, but in the end, we're left to wonder how everyone's faring. Exactly what lesson(s) the filmmakers had in mind is uncertain to me.
Pacing is another weakness. The runtime is only 97 minutes, and I started watching early in the evening, but I still split it over two nights. The second half is thankfully more engaging.
The R rating is primarily for swearing and one unnecessary underage sex scene. The brief fights don't get bloody. I'm a little relieved that this isn't the next Brick.
I'll give CB credit for this much: It got me thinking. It may not delve deep, but it sends the mind in important directions. Maybe that's all it needs to be worthwhile.
I've seen better teen dramedies, but I've also seen far more annoying ones. If you find the DVD lying around, I won't recommend against it.
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