Watch The Education of Charlie Banks For Free

Too much of everything

The Worst Film Ever

ridiculous rating

Gripping story with well-crafted characters

The truth is If I had known in advance this was a movie directed by Fred Durst, I would've said 'I'd rather read the yellow pages than wasting my time in something made by Fred Dust'. It was a good thing I didn't learn about it till the end of the movie.I'm watching all of Sebastian Stan's movies, and of course this one was on the list, so I decided to spend this hot summer night watching this movie.And what a surprise!I honestly don't know where to begin. OK, I know where to begin.The director of this film, Mr. Fred Durst. All those that know me know how much I hate Limp Bizkit (still do) and especially Fred Durst. But I have to be fair, and after watching this movie I have to say why the hell isn't this guy making movies instead of making awful music? I have to bite my tongue now, and say congratulations for a job very well done. I wasn't really expecting it.But don't expect me to say the same thing about the band lol.The settings, edition, and picture of the movie are beautiful. The music was very well chosen and perfect for every scene.The actors: the cast is perfect. Especially the way Jesse Eisenberg played Charlie, and Jason Ritter played Mick. You get immersed so easily in the story and with the characters that you want to be one more of the group. The choices we make and how they shape our life, our future. The way things can affect your life, especially family, money, growing up in a good environment, friends, motivations, opportunities… you see all that in this movie. This movie tends to play with your emotions and makes you hesitate, if I had been in Charlie's shoes, what would I've done? Was he right or wrong? If someone don't have many opportunities in life and grew up in a poor environment, is the other person guilty for life or should that person get a second, even a third opportunity? Should we just sit down, judge them and throw them away… or should we take the time to make the difference even if its not an easy thing to do?Since my reason for watching this movie was Sebastian Stan, I have to say I loved Leo, he's the friend we would all love to have, fun, friendly, easygoing, charming and did I say fun? Sure he did one bad thing but hey we're not perfect, are we? I loved the way Sebastian played Leo and I would've loved to see more scenes with him in the movie. oh and when I saw the ocean I thought 'it would be great if they all grab Leo and throw him off into the water', seconds later bang! They did it, I was laughing. Love, friendship, fun, experimentation, loyalty, friendzone, lessons of life, its all here.Highly recommendable!

This film is an okay coming of age story. Jason Ritter and Jesse Eisenberg play childhood friends who meet up later on at Charlie's Ivy League college three years later after an incident. The story begins in their neighborhood in Greenwich Village section of New York City. Charlie's father owns and runs a bookstore but we don't know much about Jason Ritter's Mick character. The story is about bullying and intimidation. Charlie witnesses a crime but recants and that is all I'll say about it without spoiling it for other readers. Three years later, he's in college with his friend, Danny. Mick shows up and takes over his territory in a manner of speaking with friends and the girl he likes. The film is okay but not brilliant. The writing is a bit weak at times. There doesn't seem to be much suspense when we know the secret from the beginning. Anyway, Ritter and Eisenberg do well with the weak script.

As the directorial debut from Limp Bizkit's outspoken and often loathed frontman, Fred Durst, it's safe to say that the bar was set very low for "The Education of Charlie Banks" -- too low, as a matter of fact, as Durst's film (drawn from a screenplay by Peter Elkoff) is a surprisingly rich experience that unfortunately sat on the shelf for too long after being made and which got virtually ignored by critics and mainstream audiences alike.Opening in the mid-70's and then picking up sometime in the 80's, "The Education of Charlie Banks" tells the story of a bully (Jason Ritter) who appears as some sort of boogeyman to the title character (Jesse Eisenburg). Though the two make acquaintances as teenagers, it isn't until his college years that Charlie finds himself being truly haunted by the ultra-violent hot-head when he shows up unexpectedly in the dorm-room he shares with his childhood friend (Chris Marquette). Slowly, he works his way into Charlie's life, tagging along in spite of the fact that he never quite fits in. Has this friend from the past changed his ways, or is he just a hot-head ready to blow at any minute?Without a doubt, the film was influenced by the films of Martin Scorsese (see the "Raging Bull" poster in Charlie's room) and although it's not quite in the same league, it's a noble effort nevertheless. The film reaches for lofty heights, and thanks to its credible cast, reaches them. You'll feel immersed in the characters and situations in "The Education of Charlie Banks" and while it's ending doesn't exactly resolve anything, ultimately resembles reality a bit closer than the average coming-of-age story. It's a well-written and well-paced story directed almost effortlessly by Durst that should intrigue the interested and silence the critical.

Fred Durst from some music group called 'Limp Bizkit' directed this & it is his first effort. For a first timer he did a first class job.Peter Eckoff wrote this screenplay about some college students in the 1970's at Brown Univ. in Rhode Island. The screenplay is quite intelligent & not the usual college days & nights stuff we usually see.However I felt that the ending was a letdown & to me it hurt MY overall enjoyment of this very well acted & made drama. There are many comic moments BUT this is primarily a drama.Jesse Eisenburg is Charlie & he is just first rate. Jason Ritter who has usually done lighter roles is just magnificent as a confused non conformist & bully. Chris Marquette is there buddy & has most of the funny lines.This is one trio I would like to see again.Eva Amurri is also first rate as a love interest.the entire cast are all first rate.This is another low budget film that only had a very short USA run in March 2009. & released to DVD 3 months later.This is a darn good film,I just did not care for the ending. See it, you may or may not agree with me on the ending, BUT I feel you all will like it. It also is a wee bit overlong.Ratings: *** (out of 4) 84 points (out of 100) IMDb 7 (out of 100)