MOVIE REVIEW: Overly goofy ‘School for Scoundrels’ doesn’t quite make the grade
When this film begins and we see Roger (John Heder, “Napoleon Dynamite”) getting ready for work in the morning, a persistent question comes to mind: “How long will Heder be able to capitalize on his embodiment of nerdy film roles?”
After the wild success of “Napoleon Dynamite” in 2004, it seems like Heder will continue to do these dopey films until the end of time. And his latest comedy only reaffirms that possibility.
So for those of you who can’t get enough of Heder’s films, this won’t be a disappointment.
While not being uproariously funny or hard to predict, “School for Scoundrels” provides just what it was meant to – a juvenile, light-hearted story with bits of silly humor added.
Roger, our lonely protagonist, lives a dull, monotonous life in New York City. As a shy meter maid who suffers from anxiety attacks, he longs for the girl who lives down the hall from his apartment.
Jacinda Barrett (“The Last Kiss”) plays this girl next door (who literally is the girl next door) with a regular sweetness.
To help his confidence grow and get the girl of his dreams, Roger enrolls in a mysterious class with other lowly nerds, hoping that he will finally become the smooth operator he longs to be.
This class proves to be hell. And Billy Bob Thornton (“Friday Night Lights”) is its devilishly insulting professor, Dr. P.
As Dr. P and his fearsome assistant (Michael Clarke Duncan, “The Island”) use their methods of yelling, paintballing, lying and abrupt demands of violence, their students develop confidence and coolness. Or at least they try to.
Through this “re-education” of sorts, Roger begins to be more courageous in his everyday life and finally starts to make the moves on his girl. He soon finds out, however, that his greatest competition for winning her over is his teacher.
The games begin between teacher and student and the latter half of the film is spent showing us who can be the slimiest and the sneakiest to bring down the other.
So much of this film is filled with superficial themes and recycled humor that it easily becomes tiresome to watch. But “School for Scoundrels” makes up for its lack of originality with a mostly well-told story and moments that are almost a bit compelling.
With the exception of Barrett’s performance, everyone in this film is annoying in their own way. And this annoyingness only gets worse as the film goes along right up until the rushed, unrealistic ending.
Nobody gives a great performance in this film because, frankly, they don’t have to. Each actor fills a slot for a certain stereotype and a slot for a certain twist in the plot.
Having lots of each of those things, “School for Scoundrels” gives a noble effort to be hilarious and effective, but it only passes with an average grade.
Casey T. Allen is The Statesman movie critic. His reviews appear every Friday in the Diversions section. Comments and suggestions can be sent to caseyal@cc.usu.edu.