Sure, there were a few movies around 1989 that expressed tough individuals as miracle workers, including STAND AND DELIVER, which was an excellent example. LEAN ON ME has the same inspiring moments as the rest, only in more harsh details. There has to be some form of criticism. I don't get the reason why Morgan Freeman is trying way too hard at pushing (and punishing?) urban city high school kids by not singing the campus anthem. It has good entertaining value thanks to his performance as a principal he calls himself "Batman". But then, you soon find out that everything goes far over the edge and in a state of cruelty. A movie does prosper with its rewards, though. What better things did you expect from John G. Avildsen?
Review of Lean on Me
