In this amazing high school comedy/drama film we meet a compelling character named Carlie Bartlett. After I watched the film I wondered why he was so interesting. Then it hit me --he listens, he is interested in others, does favors. In short he is the ideal friend. Although he is totally rejected at the top of the film, he becomes the most respected person on campus.

In a strange sort of way he has a Jesus type journey. With is enemies, like the school bullies, he goes the extra mile. With the authorities, although he respects them, he breaks their laws. He uses their system against itself, turning it upside down, for the benefit of his friends. Interesting parallels.

The messianic tip off in the film is in the scene where he his taking Ritalin for the first time in his bathroom and we note the mirror image of a "Messiah" poster on the wall in back of him.

The most important Jesus-like feature of Charlie is that he makes place for others. Just as Jesus took the little children that the disciples rejected up into his arms, so Charlie makes place for the HS kids, by listening to them and helping them. One of the greatest acts of love is to listen with the heart. Here is my video on my take of Charlie as messiah.