School for Scoundrels

Released: 09/29/06

Viewed: 7:00 pm 09/23/06

Starring: Billy Bob Thorton, John Heder, Jacinda Barrett, Michael Clark Duncan, Sarah Silverman, Ben Stiller, Horatio Sanz, Matt Walsh, Todd Louiso, Paul Scheer, David Cross

Directed by: Tony Goldwyn

Dreamworks Official Site of the Movie

In a movie from the creator of the raunchy Road Trip, that stars the ultimate bad boy Billy Bob Thornton, mercilessly tearing apart the life of the goofball that played Napoleon Dynamite, how is it possible that the result, School For Scoundrels, is one of the sweetest warmhearted comedies of the year? This should be non-stop face pounding ball-kicking hilarity! While Scoundrels dabbles in ball kicking, its director and stars have matured to the point where the comedy doesn’t have to be completely crude to be funny. Even in a film with “Scoundrels� in the title.

Roger Jon Heder is a lost and lonely traffic cop that can’t seem to win, and no matter what he does, the girl down the hall barely knows he’s alive. A slightly less lost and lonely friend tips him off to a secret underground class that will help him find confidence, get ahead in life, and date two Asian girls at the same time. Potentially. The tip is a phone number that leads Roger to an angry voice that tells him where to go and what to bring. Five thousand dollars.

That felt a little odd, especially when Roger actually shows up with the money and you find out that several other men were just as willing to hand over a large chunk of cash to someone that openly threatened them. Had the angry man on the phone explained what the class was about – I would have been on board, but as it is all I could think was, “If I had to pay someone five grand I would have to sell my shoes.� I’ve got really nice shoes.

When they meet the teacher, Dr. P, you find out this type of mystery and dismissal is common as he swoops in like Batman to yell some advice at them, and sends them on scandalous tasks to make them stronger men. Billy Bob Thornton is perfectly cast in this role because I believe in real life that he’s a scary guy. If I met him in a dark alley and he wanted my shoes I would probably give them to him.

As far-fetched as some of the moments feel, the set-up is brisk and there are some good laughs right off the bat. I really liked the way the movie’s theme evolved and changed before one topic got too boring. I really don’t want to give too much away even though the trailer will tell you the next couple of steps, but what happens next felt like a very natural progression that was still fresh and amusing.

Scoundrels is not as laugh out loud funny as I would have liked but I find that's how Todd Phillips movies generally are. I remember laughing hard during his last film Old School, but leaving a little disappointed. Like it could have been funnier. The movie replayed on DVD brilliantly and is now one of my favorites of the Frat Pack comedies.

What’s great about Scoundrels is that it continues Phillips’ development as a director. I look back at a movie like Road Trip and just cringe. So much of that felt like nonsensical shock comedy desperate to connect with a target audience. Over the years he’s kept the comedy level high, and added in some real substance. He’s gotten to the point where he can make you laugh and still craft a sweet believable story at the same time.

I'm not a huge Heder fan. I liked Dynamite but came to the boat too late to get really excited about it. By the time I saw that movie even the die-hard freaks were over it. Since then Heder has had a couple of supporting roles (Just Like Heaven, Benchwarmers) that were nothing special but far from offensive. I feel like he was trying to prove himself or get out of the shadow of Dynamite, and that he hasn’t truly done that until now. A character like Roger in Scoundrels is perfect for him. Someone only slightly goofy but pure in spirit and noble in purpose that the audience can root for. He nails it perfectly and will win you over with his dim, well-intentioned charms. But for the record, he was definitely more believable as the loveable loser than he was as the competent ladies man.

I was surprised to see Jacinda Barrett. Not because she’s a bad fit or anything, I just had no idea she was in the damn thing. For some reason I didn't recognize her in any of the commercials even though she's been in like 80 movies this year and she’s been good in all of them, even Poseidon. This is the first I've seen her using her natural British accent. It suites her. Between that and the sharp bangs she’s sporting, Ms. Barrett is a dangerous vixen.

I couldn’t say if she was worth paying five thousand dollars blindly to attend a class you know nothing about, but that’s the thing. Bangs can really mess with a guy’s head.

Ben stiller Sarah Silverman, and Michael Clark Duncan take turns stealing the show, as do a fantastic supporting cast collecting the best geeks from SNL, The Showbiz Show, Best Week Ever, UCB and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. They bring as much funny to Scoundrels as you would hope. Silverman is bitter, but it’s somehow hot. I’ve always said that Stiller is more fun when he’s less recognizable. Few people can pull off wigs and moustaches and still be funny, but you can’t deny that the guy knows how to wear a mullet. And I love where Duncan’s career has gone. He’s always had this stigma of being the big action guy, which he’s great at, but it’s nice to see him come into two huge comedies this year and really hold his own. If you liked him in Talladega Nights then you’ll love him here. He’s given more screen time and he really makes the most of it.

Because of the cast and crew there are going to be some expectations. I’ll tell you now - It’s not Old School, it’s not Napoleon Dynamite, and it’s not Bad Santa. I have a feeling the three figures of this film will always have themselves compared to these high points, but don’t let that discourage you. School for Scoundrels will neither have you rolling in the aisles or weeping in your popcorn, but it is a sweet and funny story that will make you want to snuggle with your sweetheart and/or TP your neighbors house. Both good.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Definitely worth checking out. It might be a little lighter on the laughs then you’re expecting but it’s still a great night at the movies.

DVD Worthy?:

Phillips movies always play better on DVD. As time goes on I find his humor tends to be more subtle and dangerous in the way it affects me. The first viewing will rarely have me laughing out loud often enough to mention, but a couple times through and I’ll be cracking up at the way these people say “hello� to each other. It speaks a lot to the talented casts he assembles and the beautiful work done in the editing room. I have no doubt that Scoundrels will yield similar hilarity. I’ll be picking it up.

Recommendation – Fight Club:

The real meat of Scoundrels has very little in common with Fight Club, but the secret club of men with a common goal of betterment and mischief lends itself to comparisons to the Fincher classic. Now, don’t get your hopes up or anything. There are no dual personalities or ritual pit fighting but the spirit of secrecy and empowerment pop up over and over again. Honestly, the connection made those moments more enjoyable.

Trailer Hitch: Van Wilder 2: Rise of Taj

I’m a huge fan of Van Wilder. I think it’s one of those raunchy college comedies that will stand the test of time. When I heard there was a sequel, Van Wilder 2: Rise of Taj, in the works I had a happy fit. When I heard it wouldn’t feature Ryan Reynolds the man who put the Wilder in Van Wilder, I had a completely different kind of fit. Reynolds carried that film and made it what it was. The script was great and the production level was top notch but without Reynolds’ wit and charm the movie would have been a dud.

I’m a fan of the featured actor in the new film (Kal Penn who reprises his role of the sex crazed Taj), but I refuse to get my hopes up. The trailer looks promising but it’s too soon to tell if, now that he’s in the spotlight, his over the top Indian accent won’t get annoying after 10 minutes.

Non Movie Related Stuff.

This is something different. I was interviewed about JLCM by the Washington Square News, which is the student paper of NYU. If you live in the New York area swing by the NYU campus and look for the September 26th edition or you can check out a sample of the interview here: LINK!. The printed version I’m told has the strip for The Da Vinci Code featuring Jesutron. I hope that’s crazy enough to bring some NYU readers to the site. If so, welcome!

I wanted to thank the film editor John Lichman for the invite. We got together one day and basically talked about movies for a couple of hours, which was a complete blast. I’m always up for that. Be sure to check out WSN at NYU for the JLCM interview ASAP.

Live Journal/Myspace/Rotten Tomatoes/Buzz Comix/Top Web Comics/Comics on the Ipod/The Webcomics List/Online Comics/Wikipedia/Comixpedia/JLCM Map!