School for Scoundrels - PG-13
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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this movie isn't suitable for kids -- plus, it's just not a very good movie. It's got everything going against it -- foul language, poor behavior, crude humor, and slapstick violence that's so not-funny that it really isn't funny. Save your hard-earned dollars for something better. That said, because Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) stars, kids will be begging to see it. So please take some time to talk about the movie with your kids so you can add your two cents.
Families can talk about constructive ways to improve confidence and self-esteem. What tools and behavioral techniques might be helpful? What should you do if someone you trust turns out to be a jerk? Why is it never OK to make fun of other people? What should you do if you see others being made fun of?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jane Boursaw
Riffing on his loser persona, Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) plays Roger, a hapless meter reader plagued by anxiety and low self-esteem. But he's smitten by Amanda (Jacinda Barrett), so to gain the courage he needs to ask her out, he enrolls in a confidence-building class taught by the seedy Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton).
Aided by his assistant, Lesher (Michael Clarke Duncan), Dr. P pushes the envelope with weird methods guaranteed to unleash your inner animal. His other students include Walsh (Matt Walsh), who's dying to move out of his mom's basement; Diego (Horatio Sanz), a reluctant punching bag for his wife; and Eli (Todd Louiso), who just wants to find a nice girl. But it turns out that Dr. P gets a little competitive with his students, which means one thing: They have to beat him at his own game.
Based loosely on the 1960 British film School for Scoundrels or How to Win Without Actually Cheating!, this is another juvenile buddy flick along the lines of Old School and Road Trip, both also directed by Todd Phillips. But it likely won't acquire the cult following of those movies, thanks to a few minor details -- like, oh, directing, casting, and writing.
Heder is completely miscast. He has one emotion -- goofy -- and when he tries to act scared or serious, it just ends up right back at goofy. He also has zero chemistry with Barrett and Thornton. It's sad, really, because he could probably keep his momentum going if he had played a character who's the polar opposite of Napoleon Dynamite instead.
Thornton is a formidable actor, but this is likely the worst film he's ever made. The rest of the cast members, including the usually great David Cross and Sarah Silverman, are just killing time, waiting for the end credits to roll. Which is pretty much what the audience is doing, too.
The fun energy of Phillips' earlier movies is nonexistent here, and the pacing and comedic timing are dismal. It's a complete disaster.
Families who enjoy this general type of humor would be better off watching Old School, Road Trip, or Anger Management (though all of those are aimed at older audiences).
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentFlirting, kissing. A character draws a crude picture of a breast. |
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ViolenceA violent paintball game and tennis game are played for laughs; characters are attacked by other characters; someone's head gets pushed into a toilet; lots of slapstick comedy with hitting, shoving, slapping, and mace-spraying. Assorted things are shot at guys' groins. References to guys being (possibly) raped by a large man. |
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Language"F--k" (one instance); "s--t," "goddamn," "a--hole" (all numerous); "hell," "damn," "tits," "ass," "sucks," and "retard." |
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Social BehaviorGeez, where to begin. This movie includes disrespectful behavior, going behind others' backs for your own gain, making fun of others' shortcomings, and physical and verbal abuse. A character is also shown peeing (no nudity). |
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CommercialismPenn and Babolar sports equipment; references to Chicken Soup for the Soul and Tony Robbins seminars; NYC Parking Bureau. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoSome smoking and drinking. |
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