The Ron Clark Story (also known as The Triumph) is a 2006 American television film starring Matthew Perry. The film is based on the educator Ron Clark. It follows the tale of an idealistic teacher who leaves his small hometown to teach in a New York City public school, where he faces trouble with the students.
The film was directed by Randa Haines, and was released directly on television, premiering on TNT on August 13, 2006 and was later released on DVD in the 10 Movie Kid's Pack Volume 3 by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment in 2011.
Plot
In 1998, Ron Clark – known for his innovative teaching methods that leads his students in raising test scores – leaves North Carolina to look for a new job in New York City. After some time working as a restaurant waiter, he eventually settles on an elementary school in inner Harlem – where students are sorted according to their potential. His first days as a sixth-grade teacher are stressful, as he faces resistance from some of the disruptive students of the sixth grade – listed with the lowest of their scores – who disregard or outright ignore Clark. At one point, he violently slams down the table of 12-year-old Shameika Wallace in frustration when she and many other students continually disrespect him.
Distraught at his actions, Clark initially considers resigning but eventually returns to teaching after Marissa Vega, one of his colleagues from his restaurant job, convinces him to stay. He spends several months teaching basic curriculum all while improving his relationship with his students by making deals and engaging in their hobbies. This frustrates Principal Turner, who relies on the class gaining scores for the local government to maintain his job.
Clark discusses the Revolutionary War in his creative style of rapping, enticing his students to join along. He offers student Tayshawn Mitchell to meet up at a coffee shop at noon but walks away when another student, Julio Vasquez, also arrives at the coffee shop, leading to an altercation against Julio for perceived favoritism. Mitchell's foster parents subsequently demand Tayshawn be sent to juvenile detention. At Shameika's apartment, he helps her cook dinner for her and her siblings while she is completing her homework. After Shameika's mother arrives home to this, however, she later demands that Turner should fire Clark, claiming Shameika doesn't need schooling, but Clark convinces her mother to give Shameika a chance.
During a science lesson, Clark falls ill from pneumonia and is hospitalized. While at Marissa's house to rest himself, he and Marissa record themselves video lessons for the students to learn while being observed by Turner. Returning to school, he discovers that while some of their test scores have improved, other papers received lower grades, severely lowering their chances to pass the state exams that are set to happen in a week. After leading his students to participate in the next state exam, Marissa tells Clark that her colleague Jason has a job audition in Los Angeles and asks him for advice. Clark buys the students tickets for The Phantom of the Opera in Broadway, but Tayshawn doesn't show up. Clark finds him badly beaten up by his drunken foster father in a nearby alley for painting the Phantom of the Opera on the wall of their foster home and has him sent to Turner's house to be looked after.
Near the end of the school year, as Clark presents his students awards, Turner reveals to Clark and his students and their parents that the sixth grade has passed the state exam, scoring the highest awards than any other class in Harlem. The invigorated and ecstatic students thank Clark for his selfless determination, and they start rapping about the Revolutionary War in celebration with Clark, Marissa and several other parents.
The film's postscript states that his students went on to attend the most prestigious schools across the country. Ron Clark's own teaching school – the Ron Clark Academy – opened in Atlanta in 2007. He remains close with his former students and their families.
Cast
Reception
Accolades AssociationCategoryRecipientResultRefAMPIA AwardsBest Costume DesignerChristine ThomsonAmerican Cinema EditorsBest Edited Miniseries or Motion Picture for Commercial TelevisionHeather PersonsCasting Society of AmericaBest Movie of the Week CastingGary M. ZuckerbrodBonnie FinneganChristopher AwardsTelevisionHoward BurkonsBrenda FriendRanda HainesMax EnscoeAnnie DeYoungCritics' Choice Television AwardsBest Picture Made for TelevisionThe Ron Clark StoryDirectors Guild of AmericaOutstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for TelevisionRanda HainesFamily Film AwardsBest TV Movie/DramaHoward BurkonsBrenda FriendGold Derby AwardsTV movie/Mini Lead ActorMatthew PerryTV movie/Mini Lead Actor of the DecadeMatthew PerryGolden Globe AwardsBest Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionMatthew PerryMotion Picture Sound EditorsBest Sound Editing in Music for Television – Long FormJoanie DienerNAMIC Vision AwardsBest Actor – DramaErnie HudsonOFTA Television AwardsBest Motion PictureThe Ron Clark StoryBest Actor in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesMatthew PerryPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Made for Television MovieThe Ron Clark StoryOutstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or MovieMatthew PerryOutstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a SpecialGary M. ZuckerbrodLonnie MahermanBonnie FinneganRhonda FisekciCandice ElzingaScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or MiniseriesMatthew PerryWriters Guild of AmericaLong Form — OriginalMax EnscoeAnnie DeYoungYoung Artist AwardsBest Family Television Movie or SpecialThe Ron Clark StoryBest Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young ActressHannah HodsonBest Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young ActorBrandon Mychal SmithBest Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young ActorMicah Williams
References
External links
The Ron Clark Story on Rotten Tomatoes Official website