The Education of Charlie Banks

Name: The Education of Charlie Banks
Genre: Drama
Released: March 27, 2009
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 50
Cast: Eva Amurri, Jason Ritter, Jesse Eisenberg

2009

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Mixed or average reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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The Education Of Charlie Banks

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Movie Details & Credits

Anchor Bay Entertainment | Release Date: March 27, 2009 | R

Starring: Eva Amurri, Jason Ritter, Jesse Eisenberg

Summary: Charlie Bank's sheltered world at his Ivy League campus is shaken when Mick, an old acquaintance with a violent past, unexpectedly shows up at his dorm room. Intrigued by Charlie's privileged lifestyle, the charismatic Mick quickly wins over Charlie’s friends and his crush, Mary as he seamlessly integrates himself into Charlie’s life.Charlie Bank's sheltered world at his Ivy League campus is shaken when Mick, an old acquaintance with a violent past, unexpectedly shows up at his dorm room. Intrigued by Charlie's privileged lifestyle, the charismatic Mick quickly wins over Charlie’s friends and his crush, Mary as he seamlessly integrates himself into Charlie’s life. Unnerved yet also in awe of Mick's easy charm, Charlie's unresolved feelings of jealousy, admiration and fear – as well as an unspoken secret between the two—threatens to come to a head with ruinous consequences. Set in the early '80's against the backdrop of Greenwich Village's rough and tumble playgrounds and an elite academic institution in Upstate New York, The Education of Charlie Banks is a stirring coming-of-age story about trusting your instincts, your friends and yourself. (Strong Heart Pictures)… Expand

Director: Fred Durst

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 100 min

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Critic Reviews

Michael Rechtshaffen

Although the impressively acted ensemble piece occasionally gets tripped up by Peter Elkoff's overtly literate script, it travels in some unexpected, thoughtful directions. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Ritter, who's like the young Ethan Hawke on a bender of violence, is an actor to watch. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

Probes class consciousness with rather more sensitivity than originality. Read full review

Liam Lacey

What doesn't work so persuasively is Elkoff's script, particularly the overuse of voice-over. Read full review

Robert Abele

Too often Durst's direction is overly earnest, heavy in long takes, atmosphere wise but scene foolish. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

There's enough sweetness, and enough just-under-the-surface intelligence, in The Education of Charlie Banks to suggest that Durst may have a future as a filmmaker. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Another nicely understated performance from Jesse Eisenberg anchors this shambling drama. Read full review

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User Reviews

KathyS.

May 10, 2009

This is a thoughtful, sometimes witty, sometimes tense little movie with a slight sense of foreboding that kept me on the edge of my seat. I'd like to see a lot more from Jesse Eisenberg. I loved him in this and in "Adventureland." I hope he gets a lot of roles in different movies like This is a thoughtful, sometimes witty, sometimes tense little movie with a slight sense of foreboding that kept me on the edge of my seat. I'd like to see a lot more from Jesse Eisenberg. I loved him in this and in "Adventureland." I hope he gets a lot of roles in different movies like this. Jason Ritter was a revelation.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

MitchS

Apr 3, 2009

This was a pretty decent little movie, but the incredible aspect of the film is Jason Ritter's performance as the absolutely brutal sociopath from the city who invades the little college town. When I saw his name in the opening credits, I never would have thought that he's play This was a pretty decent little movie, but the incredible aspect of the film is Jason Ritter's performance as the absolutely brutal sociopath from the city who invades the little college town. When I saw his name in the opening credits, I never would have thought that he's play such a menacing role. That being said, the movie's true weakness was Jesse Eisenberg, who was difficult to watch for two hours with all of his eccentricities.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

JayH

Jun 27, 2009

Good story, appealing performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Eva Amurri. It does lack focus sometimes but overall the film works.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

NicoDaFlagburna

Feb 3, 2011

A good solid piece that starts with a bang but unfortunately fails to develop. The opening party scene is enjoyable but the rest of the film lacks dynamics. Durst and Eisenberg are positively unspectacular which benefits our perception of Ritter's sociopath but the director is guilty ofA good solid piece that starts with a bang but unfortunately fails to develop. The opening party scene is enjoyable but the rest of the film lacks dynamics. Durst and Eisenberg are positively unspectacular which benefits our perception of Ritter's sociopath but the director is guilty of boring his audience and ultimately nothing happens which leaves me feeling unfulfilled. 59/100… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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