Currently, audiences are eagerly awaiting the release of Sex Education Season 4 on Netflix, with details still under wraps. However, recent information regarding the show’s content has drawn intriguing parallels to another film, capturing the attention of Hollywood insiders. How similar are Sex Education and this other film?
According to Screen Rant, the film that bears many similarities to Sex Education is Charlie Bartlett, released in 2007. Despite differing themes, both projects share common ground in their portrayal of a shy high school boy navigating the complexities of adolescence. Charlie from Charlie Bartlett and Otis from Sex Education exhibit similar character traits; both struggle with social acceptance and ultimately gain popularity thanks to their unique skills in offering peer counseling.
In their respective narratives, both Charlie and Otis encounter several “awkward” moments: they each attract a variety of new friends and romantic interests. While Otis develops a connection with Maeve, Charlie’s relationship with the principal’s daughter leads to heightened complications.
Moreover, both boys serve as catalysts for change within their school environments. Charlie’s crush on the principal’s daughter complicates his endeavors, while Otis’s sex education sessions often lead to uncomfortable scenarios involving their teachers.
Screen Rant noted that while Sex Education draws inspiration from many elements of Charlie Bartlett, it distinguishes itself through a more expansive narrative that captures contemporary issues more effectively. Both projects delve into the trials of teenage life but with different focuses on themes of sexual education and emotional growth.
However, Charlie Bartlett faced challenges at the box office, earning only about $5 million against a $7 million budget (over $165 million in today’s terms). Nonetheless, it is regarded as a precursor in the genre of coming-of-age films focused on adolescent sexual education in the early 2000s, making it unsurprising if Sex Education borrows elements from it.
In conclusion, Charlie Bartlett grossed just over $5 million, falling short of its $7 million budget (more than $165 million today). Nevertheless, Charlie Bartlett is viewed as a pioneering film in the “coming-of-age” genre, focusing on sexual education in the early 2000s, and it’s no surprise if Sex Education takes significant cues from it.
Screen Rant praises Sex Education for successfully adopting the core principles of Charlie Bartlett throughout its first two seasons, delivering audiences a “guidebook” on navigating sexual health, relationships, and personal identity during the tumultuous teenage years of life.
Source: Screen Rant
