Acting Showcase: Lean on Me Scene (Joe Clark and Dr. Frank Napier Confrontation)

For my scene study acting class's concluding showcase, my scene partner Matthew Williams and I decided to work on the iconic confrontation scene between Joe Clark (portrayed by Morgan Freeman) and Dr. Frank Napier (portrayed by Robert Guillaume) from the movie Lean on Me (written by Michael Schiffer & directed by John G. Avildsen). I'd love to hear your feedback in the comments! Thanks in advance for watching.
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[@Kitchdmn3]

Some negative comments... it’s hard to reenact a scene that was performed by two of the greatest actors of all time... but y’all did pretty good.

[@NBUltra187]

yeah...i wish we could get some established actors to re-enact...don cheadle, denzel, etc. i heard ben affleck and matt damon would practice this (not sure how valid that is)

[@spino-tinodon1146]

Man these guys did a a GREAT job on the way how they recreated this scene. KUDOS boys! Kudos!

[@IfIknewthen]

negative?? they did great!

[@GamerToday]

I agree I love the film so much....but this regardless of not being as good is great. I enjoy it regardless

[@GamerToday]

Body language and eyes etc perfect cover hand gestures etc. I am impressed I wish I could do that good

[@EvencioRuiz-1998]

‘Well Done Gentleman.. Well Done... Congratulations, From The Movie Lean On Me.”

[@drewandjeffers5695]

You know, Mr. Joe Clark did not fire Mr. Darnell. He suspended him, but he fired Mrs. Elliott.

[@Capcoor]

Dark Demonik No, he’s right.

[@justinhensley108]

NICE! Good reinactment of the movie.

[@joshnagenmurugiah4531]

Well done.

[@earhustler2639]

Morgan Freeman and Robert Guiome (RIP) would be proud! Very good gentlemen!

[@Kate-ly6cx]

That's wonderful! Good job, gentlemen! 100%.

[@DavePortobanco-ge5dj]

You did a great job, gentlemen! That was awesome!

[@jwm66]

well done gentlemen....well done......end of discussion

[@arisrogersii]

James Ward thank James! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and give us that feedback!

[@jamesamick2945]

Certainly didn't realize this was a play, but very good job by these men. Obviously not as good as the movie. But, I think this would have morgan freeman's seal of approval. To be fair comparing a play version to a movie, no matter what the movie is a bit unfair. Some people who watch and say it's terrible in comparison to the film, well duh, anyone would look terrible when compared to morgan freeman.

[@LevaughnPatrick]

This was a good one for the facilities. Good job, gentlemen!

[@xanderluv]

The ball head brother is an actor...the other brother needs a little polish

[@morgancurry789]

Visually, Stillness promotes power and strength. When you move around too much and you dissipate your energy, it shows a lack of confidence and doesn’t read well. Restraint and knowing when to move would really take this scene to the next level.

[@fleetadmiralperry5739]

YOU MAY NOT HAVE QUOTED THIS SCENE VERBATIM BUT BROTHER YOU DID IT YOU IVE SCENE THIS FILM 1,000 TIMES AND YOU BOTH DID IT JUSTICE IM PROUD TO HAVE SEEN YOU BOTH IN ACTION EXCELLENT JOB

[@FuchsiaSquare]

It’s not 15...it’s 30 years!!! They known each other for 30 years.🙄

[@sherlinejoseph1425]

Yeah you right… but understand. They made a mistake

[@geegee637]

The ball head brutha has his part down the other guy needs more work

[@nikolebrandi]

Pretty good, but nothing like the original.

[@Lord_Bibulous]

Trying to reenact a scene with Morgan Freeman and Robert Guillaume is daunting enough. So great effort. My criticism would be that you guys didn't evoke the feeling of the heated discussion. In the movie it was an argument, the tension raised as both Napier and Clark made great points. You two kept more or less the same tone throughout. Good effort. EDIT: You guys really nailed it at the end though.

[@usaalways]

One of my favorite scenes of all time. This is how exactly how it would be in 2023 as Dr Napier is feminine HAHAHA. I enjoyed this .

[@daughterofeveandhateroflil2683]

Seriously and you're not wrong about that 💯☑️

[@devon4535]

Brother playing JC was good guy playing Frank not enough emotion. Good scene l, it’s hard to follow the footsteps of those 2 giants.

[@williamboo9017]

I very much enjoyed this. It just seemed like the dynamic was more of a stronger alpha personality in the Joe Clark character, and Dr. Napier’s character was more Like a studious beta facilitator personality Which is more like me. Thoroughly enjoyable. I actually saw Joe Clark in 2000 on the Sally Jessy Raphael show I was live in the audience. I remember when he was principal and controversial in the 80s

[@FLBOY100]

Excellent acting! They nailed that scene!

[@kysonmartin77]

This my fave scene in the movie. That's how I got here. But great work fellas👍💪. But it did look like Joe wanted to knock your head off. He came at you hood.😆

[@pauljackson9174]

It’s hard to reenact such good actors and you both did a great job!

[@mystroceo]

Unlike everyone else I'm not going to tell you what you want to hear. Practice perfect, makes perfect. I feel that when you get a bunch of yes people telling you how great you are, there's no room for improvement. With that said in mind. I give this performance a 4 out of 10. I feel this performance was pretty lack luster in most parts. Like mono-toned reading. It is hard to fill the shoes of such talented and wonderful actors. Some parts came off a little stale and dry. The timing was either too rushed or to slow to respond. Some parts delivered felt like you guys were asking questions rather than making a statement. Like the sentence ended with a light up beat voice that cracked, rather than a hard down voice delivery that made you feel the depth of the last words you stated.. I felt you guys were just trying to practice a parody of this particular scene. I didn't feel like you guys were trying to be serious while doing this. Practice this more. I would like to see how this turns out.

[@glennhoddle10]

"C'mon, let's get something to eat." This always happens when men finish arguing in real life too. *That will not happen if 2 women had the same heated argument.* They won't talk to each other for the next 10 years, probably more !

[@clyde642006]

Excellent fellas!👍👍 very well played! One of the greatest scenes ever filmed in my opinion!! Those 2 Hollywood giants have very big shoes to fill, but y’all did great!

[@bfettrules1239]

U guys did a fantastic job with this scene. I hope some casting directors put you in some high profile projects.

[@qfapodcastabouthowardstern]

Great job with a very difficult scene. At the base of the argument it's still two friends and it's hard to convey both without sounding too over-the-top.

[@jeffcaldwell30]

The issue with watching this is comparing it to Robert Guillaume and Morgan Freeman's performance in a film vs a play but Robert and Morgan's performance particularly. You have to look at this performance and judge it based on the acting of the gentleman in this performance and not that of Robert and Morgan. There was no particular way to play this scene, but Robert and Morgan owned it and these gentlemen have to recreate this scene in their interpretation, which seems like they did. It doesn't matter how this sounds what matters is were they believable? That's the question.

[@marvinwhittaker]

They did a good job. It's not like the movie but pretty much okay.

[@phillipwattsjr.4714]

"Missionary zeal about Mozart...", says the man that just reprimanded a teacher for picking up a piece of paper during the school song. 😂

[@tjbooker9948]

I did a similar re-enactment video with my wheel chair bound mother. She played the part of Dr. Frank Napier. The best part was when she said she was the H.N.I.C and then slowly spun around in her motorized wheelchair and rode towards the door. It was all good until an extension cord laying on the floor got tangled in wheels of the chair.

[@asifiwehyera3855]

That's right ur the HNIC in charge gud act guys

[@Solomon-kt5dc]

Good job my brothers!!

[@TheCoolSpot]

Imo the guy playing Mr. Clark had the better performance.... The other guy needs to work on his delivery a little more.....1 of my fav scenes tho 👍🏾

[@christopherdorsey6337]

I once did this type to my nephew for not paying his bills, and acting crazy!

[@GunninRebel55]

Great reenactment of a legendary scene. I can tell this was a lot of fun. Lol.

[@sterlingharris1812]

They lame AF. No commitment to the dialogue and urgency of the script the writers had in mind. If you not gone do the script and Morgan justice, don't do it all.

[@garymills4262]

Very good, thats what actors suppose to do with great material, make it your own, don't try to be Morgan or Robert (RIP). As a fellow actor I would take more pauses to help build the tension, so it dosen't look like your stepping on each others lines. Other than that excellent.

[@stephanieblackley9037]

Mrs Elliott Had Ego Problem.

[@robertrodriguez787]

So did Joe Clark

[@Ghost-gx3cs]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👍🏿

[@sha11235]

I wouldn't do film scenes unless it was for acting on film. If this is just acting for the stage, do stage plays because you can interpret them a lot better without so much negative feedback.

[@frankcabanski9409]

Don't take acting advice from these guys. Awful.

[@michaelpowell5266]

Ad libbing, right here- study the original script from Lean On Me, then reenact this scene, again!!!

[@sha11235]

I wonder if they in the film said some lines differently. That does happen.

[@BigBoss-zi5ss]

Both were excellent..but the man playing Joe was def up on his game .

[@Cluez31]

This is a bad reenactment..but its obvious you both are talented. this was just not the scene for yall.

[@BrianLG100]

wow

[@jayellis6266]

If you watch the original scene in the movie you'll know that it's the most powerful and gripping scene in the movie. These young men butchered the shit out this scene!!!!! But nice try.

[@TempeSoldier123]

This is like trying to duplicate Denzel's scene in Training Day. It's impossible.

[@tarrylrosier8443]

BRAVO! That was well done!

[@DMNDWLSN]

Seems like a first take. Need a little more polish. To make the argument flow better.

[@MYOB990]

Yikes....after just watching the real scene, this is cringy

[@GunninRebel55]

Also, I love the fact that you guys did it in your on way while still maintaining the integrity of the original scene. You made it look easy when anyone who's tried acting knows it totally isn't. I'm impressed.

[@antdogg422]

End of discussion, the debate is over!

[@friendshippage8074]

my dude is trying to act manly... but his juicey smulleay coming out

[@zacchaeuswilson6116]

NOOOOOTTT Quite...but a good effort though. Lol

[@neonspinx]

Great Job guys, don't sweat the negativity. Keep up the good work.

[@tomboro9211]

Pretty good these guys nailed it

[@alternativefacts6779]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@rs7458]

Great job 👏🏼

[@valuecalc]

Outstanding! These two actors did the scene stunningly well! Joe Clark was out of line, and so Frank was needed to put him back in line!

[@sterlingharris1812]

Lies and fairy tales

[@valuecalc]

@@sterlingharris1812, we know it's a performance.

[@emirlsanchos6302]

What I appreciate about this scene is that there's a deeper subtext going on between these two characters: Despite Joe Clark's zealous attitude and Frank Napler always having to keep him in line, reality is these two need each other more than they think working as a team with Frank's diplomatic approach and Joe's assertive approach having to compliment even when it causes clashes like this.

[@CarlosAlvarez-sl4px]

Nice

[@tysonstatham8861]

👏👏👏👏👏 That was pretty good!

[@daughterofeveandhateroflil2683]

Well put,fellas! Im not mad at y'all for your gig though! 👏🏽☑️💯🙂🌹🙌🏽

[@TWHISPERER]

Nice to see some good stage acting.

[@arunbchill]

I think yall did good thats one of the greatest scenes ever so yall had a heavy load. well done sirs

[@MusicManSeanB]

Great job fellas. I have to give it to the guy doing Morgan Freeman's line. His delivery was damn near spot on.

[@jiles8187]

Awesome work. The emotion and tension was definitely there throughout.

[@maximusmeridius1665]

Superb acting! I love this scene from the movie. Classic!

[@DBLK504]

GREAT JOB, FELLAS!💪🏾👏🏾🙌🏾😁 🎭

[@alexsalazar1116]

I liked it. Good job 👏, fellas

[@Seven70307]

😂 I love how the audience dies of laughter on the LAST line of this whole skit! Talkin' about; "You really think you bad, don't you?" XD

[@ThatCodeBlue]

Need some hard core rage out of the actor playing Dr. Napier. Otherwise, good job men.

[@soulfulman1971]

I liked it. But there were a few words that were either missing or misused. But still a good performance. Please check out my version of the Meeting With The Parents monologue if you can.

[@sha11235]

Well, they didn't have to say it directly the way we heard it in the film. In fact, how do we know Freeman and Guillaume didn't ad-lib words?

[@sherlinejoseph1425]

Such great acting 👏👏👏

[@franciscomorales3682]

Superb acting! Loved it!

[@crisvanfan]

Bravo!!

[@ElZappata]

This is probably one of the best reenactments of the powerful scean in cinema that I have ever seen, kudos to the two gentlemen who put this together, very powerful and also very inspiring!

[@jamesmurray3889]

Needs alot of work. Good luck.

[@undagroundcanecorsos2547]

Denzel Who! ... brilliant

[@mterrell604]

I love you all picked this! You all really get into it starting at 1:30 and kept the momentum. 🙌🏾

[@user-tb4el1sr1q]

They're changing colors

[@J-OnFire]

Right now from what I see the bald Brother's, a good actor. The lighter 1's Alright but not good yet. He still needs some time to practice but he wasn't horrible.

[@pjpatrick787]

scene is okay but needs more emotion!!

[@edmond1517]

Sorry good job but not on the level

[@christopherwilliams5912]

Yall have a tough act to follow.

[@marcoantoniosalazarmatamor9496]

Knocked out of the PARK!

[@FazMaTaz]

Great job. Love it.

[@Dynamo001]

The actor playing Joe did pretty good, but the Frank actor had very little passion in his words. He needed some base in his voice and to be more direct. At times, he seemed timid or nervous. Other than that, he did okay.

[@teetimewisdom90]

This was legendary BRAVO!!!!! 🔥 🔥

[@mayhemjr.803]

They're both really good.👏👏👏

[@Twizzledoc187]

This was 99.9% on point. As much as I watched that movie I had every word memorized that the only glitch was the 15 years line. I think it was 30. I’ll check but nevertheless I’m SUPER impressed!!!

[@petergriffin7940]

Garbage! What a rip off

[@Sean-iz6dn]

Nice, very nice, it's like you're a big bird with radar and I'm tired of getting hit, true classic!

[@nickatnite16]

The bald brother is good

[@donxman3365]

Dr Frank part was just horrible. It's one think to know the words, its another to feel it and act the part.

[@verlinden80]

Not bad. Tough to renact that scene. They guy doin joe Clark did I a great job

[@naborone3291]

Guy on the right could start by not emphasizing the wrong words.

[@jaquiezdouglas9394]

Wasn't as powerful as the original. But still descent.

[@anthonyl333]

Not feeling it the guy in the right isn’t fighting hard enough but hey I guess he needs a pat on the back for a good effort.