Posted: 10/03/2006

School for Scoundrels

(2006)

by Clint Fletcher

I must open with my salute to writer/director Todd Phillips. I dug every one of his movies (Road Trip, Old School, Starsky and Hutch) to a very high degree, and I think he’s one of the best comedy filmmakers in Hollywood. With that said, I enjoyed School For Scoundrels. But its also Phillips’ weakest picture yet.

The premise is gold - a nerd (John Heder) joins a secret class (led by Billy Bob Thornton) to learn how to get laid and be a smooth play boy for all Eternity. While some jokes fall flat, most of them hit their mark, thanks to the comedic timing of Heder and Thornton. The first half of the movie is the most entertaining, with Heder growing some balls and standing up to the world around him. He learns how to woo the girl of his dreams (cutie pie Jacinda Barrett) and his self-esteem is on the rise. But then he learns that his beloved teacher and master has eyes for his woman, and deep down, he’s a creepy and diabolical man that likes to play sick competition games with his students. At this point, the story falls a bit flat. It turns into one of those flicks where the audience is trying to figure out “is this all a scam? Is this part of the movie for real? Is everything a test? Or is it?”

School For Scoundrels has far too many alleged plot twists in its third act, most of them defying human logic. In the end I was scratching my head a bit as to what really happened, but alas I got enough laughs out of it to have a good time. In addition to Heder and Thornton, some supporting characters really add some flavor to the mix including- Michael Clarke Duncan, Sarah Silverman, Luis Guzman and Ben Stiller, all playing twisted characters in their own evil way. However, other supporters seem like they were recruited from a bad SNL skit like Horatio Sanz (told ya), Todd Louiso and David Cross.

But like I said, the film is a pretty fun ride before it hits the third act, and its well worth the price of admission if you dig Todd Phillip’s style of comedy. Even though it’s the weakest of all his movies and probably should’ve been pumped up to an R-rating, you can’t help but laugh at the actors when they reach their A-game. Too bad Heder will be cast as a pathetic nerd the rest of his life. GOSH!

Clint Fletcher is a comedy writer who wants people to love him.

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