Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Education of Charlie Banks (2009)

DPEducationofCharlieBanks What’s it about?

Charlie Banks, now a college student, experiences and must deal with old problems when the past he thought he escaped from in high school shows up on his campus, and teaches him what he cannot learn in a classroom.

Who is in it?

Jessie Eisenberg – Charlie

Jason Ritter – Mick

Eva Amurri – Mary

Chris Marquette - Danny



Favorite Scene:

After a past of ending each of his fights with a kick to the face which has killed many, Mick showed mercy, and was not able to do the same to Charlie.

Favorite Quote:

“You can have a headful of the best ideas but if you can’t make the right moves in the world, they’re worthless.”

Review:

The Education of Charlie Banks is a film that is surprisingly very good. What is even more surprising is that it is directed by former Limp Bizkit lead man, Fred Durst.

The film gained many awards from the independent film committee, and deservingly so. From the excellent dialogue and great scenery, to the detailed characters, you truly get a feel for the situation that Charlie Banks is in, and most importantly the life lessons that he learns from his experience.

Jessie Eisenberg does a great job as Charlie Banks, a young, intelligent college student that connects with the intimidating Mick. Jason Ritter was just as complimentary as the hard nosed bully that learns about a life he never knew existed.

All in all, The Education of Charlie Banks is a smart and entertaining movie that pulls the viewer in due to its intrigue and unique plot. A recommended view.

Grade: 3.5/5

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/15/26

Sunday Sundown Rundown returns! Going forward, I'll be sharing thoughts and ponderings in a format of three simple thoughts, opposed to the former "3 Up, 3 Down" of the past.   Mother of Savannah Guthrie I haven't been closely following the developments. I've checked in here and there, mostly hoping that this horrific story comes to an end. I simply continue to sympathize with concern, as not only are the emotions of having one's mother kidnapped for ransom more than enough to bear, but to have it played out publicly, before the nation, helplessly, is an unfathomable reality to understand. And of course, as all things in this culture, the story has been manipulated, pulled apart, and coerced into political representations that are not true, or at the very worst, worthy of discussion considering that someone's life - a person's mother - is at stake.  Winter Olympics It's not my favorite. Summer Olympics are my jam. Nonetheless, this Winter Olympics...

Quick Ponder: No Matter What

"You can give  everything to something, and no matter what, it is always gonna do what it's gonna do." I feel that these days. I get it.