MovieChat Forums > Charlie Bartlett (2008) Discussion > So a kid is assaulted and there's no dis...

So a kid is assaulted and there's no disciplinary action???

posted 15 years ago by cwbellor
16 replies | jump to latest

The principal walks into the bathroom after Charlie has been given a swirlie. I don't know about the rest of you, but I went to high school in the post Columbine era and at my school, if anyone so much as suggested doing harm to another student, this was cause enough for some kind of intervention. Sure, the excuse might be that the principal didn't witness the swirlie itself, but he walked in afterwards and it was obvious that Charlie had been assaulted. And I don't remember exactly what the response was, but wasn't it "Get back to class"? That's it??? No detention? Nothing?

And as if this wasn't unrealistic enough, we have the fact that the principal discovers the video of Murphy (the Bully) beating up a number of kids and yet, nothing? Is the concept of suspension completely alien to these peope? So stupid, it's insulting.

"Back off! He's with me."
- "Kiss my ass."
"Back off Warchild, seriously. Thank you."

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] wiseowl103 15 years ago

Hate to break it to you guys but having been involved in several confrontations in my high school days, I can say with good authority that justice does not exist in high school. A faculty member witnesses one kid beating up another kid, they either take disciplinary action against both parties or they issue a metaphorical slap on the wrist and forget the whole thing.

It may seem messed up, but that is the reality.

For the record, I was high school class of 04.

"Come with me if you want to live!"

[–] FrmSyriaWithLuv 15 years ago

At my school they would have gotten suspended. I got ISAP for like 4 hrs just for throwin someones lunch trey on them food and all. I didnt hit her.

He was pretending you were a woman? No, that's not gay. Totally fine."

[–] xerxerxex 15 years ago

"At my school they would have gotten suspended. I got ISAP for like 4 hrs just for throwin someones lunch trey on them food and all."

What is wrong with you!?
I mean sheesh, that was her lunch!

Don't worry, I saw Lord of the Rings. I'm not going to end this 17 times.

[–] FrmSyriaWithLuv 15 years ago

I was pissed and I don't think well when I angry and under pressure.
It's something that I need to work on. It's so imature.

He was pretending you were a woman? No, that's not gay. Totally fine."

[–] xerxerxex 15 years ago

don't feel bad, we all vent at times, and may I ask what this person did to make you angry?

Don't worry, I saw Lord of the Rings. I'm not going to end this 17 times.

[–] a_torres23 15 years ago

Also, take into account prolly the principal has had his run-ins w/ the bully & just didn't want to go through another session on how he should be acting when he knows that kid won't even listen. It'd have to be something very serious before he could take any sort of action. Like his daughter said to him, "Charlie listens to the kids more than you [the principal] have ever done." That right there would say he's not really doing his job as a principal as far as being there for his students. I'm not saying this happens everywhere but in this film, it seems to imply that. Great movie by the way....this one surprised me.

[–] the_Big_X 15 years ago

Yeah that scene struck me as kind of weird. The kids treat RDJ like he's some kind of tyrant; in my opinion he wasn't strict enough.

I need a better sig.

[–] jberning 15 years ago

Yea really he wasnt' really mean at all. The big issue was cameras at the student lounge. What is wrong with that. They should have been grateful to have that lounge in the first place. I'm surprised cameras woudlnt' have been put in upon opening. It's on school gorunds and everything.

As far as discipline, yea he let them go ont hat one but it wasn't too bad and charlie didn't seem too upset and i think considering he didn't see it happening directly this might be the outcome. As for the fighting in the video, they did get in trouble for distribution the video and for all we know Murphy was already punished for those previous fights.

[–] TyeisI 15 years ago

Yeah, compared to my school, the kids in that public school are pretty much spoiled. I mean seriously, they complain about cameras being placed in their "student lounge"?!? At least they have a student lounge to begin with and in my school there are cameras EVERYWHERE...pfft. If I had to chose one aspect of the film that I didn't like it would have to be that.

[–] FrmSyriaWithLuv 15 years ago

Nothing. I mean It was somethin stupid.

"He was pretending you were a woman? No, that's not gay. Totally fine."

[–] realplayer54 15 years ago

You gotta remember that the Prinicpal wasn't supposed to competent. After all, he does get fired in the end and busted back down to a History teacher. The students don't respect him.

I spent my entire childhood growing up. What a waste.

[–] actionmanrandell 12 years ago

when i was in elementary school i got in a fight with this dick who was always messing with me.
one day he pushed me to the ground and wrapped his arms around my neck. i threw him over my shoulder and put him into a head lock threatened to beat the hell out of him and i never got kicked out suspended or got in any trouble. he was sent to the office for detention the entire week.

the principle asked me why i put him in the head lock and i said he pushed me to the ground and wrapped his arms around my neck so i put him in his place
the principle accepted my explanation

[–] king_of_bob 15 years ago

He can't do anything if Charlie doesn't tell him what happened. It's like the law. You can't convict a person without evidence.

And what are you talking about unrealistic? Have you been living under a rock? There are kids out there that do exactly what the bully in the movie did, and post the videos on the internet.

Prof. Farnsworth: Oh. A lesson in not changing history from Mr. I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!

[–] mighty-hobo 15 years ago

Don't forget that a very important part of the character is that he hates his job and his life. His decision might also be the result of a jaded perspective.

[–] ScottNichols 9 years ago

Well, Gardner is not exactly an A-list principal.

Actors do not have a job...they have a blast!