DVD Review: School for Scoundrels

“Lie, lie, and lie some more.” Though it’s supposed to be a remake of the 1960 British film, I don’t think that this film comes close to being as funny as the original. Both Jon Heder and Billy Bob Thornton are playing thinly veiled variations on their other characters, Napoleon Dynamite and Bad Santa.

Though it’s supposed to be a remake of the 1960 British film, I don’t think that this film comes close to being as funny as the original. Both Jon Heder and Billy Bob Thornton are playing thinly veiled variations on their other characters, Napoleon Dynamite and Bad Santa.Napoleon Dynamite meets Bad Santa, but their pairing is not the comedic masterwork that it was supposed to be. After graduating from High School (Musically no doubt) young Napoleon Dynamite traveled to New York to try out his dancing skills on the great white way. Since he arrives before anyone thinks of making a musical with ABBA music, he fails miserably and is reduced to straightening his hair and becoming a meter maid.

Roger tries to impress Amanda

Willie also graduates from a correctional facility after the events of Bad Santa and decides to embark on a new scam along with……wait a minute. Okay that’s totally bogus, but the major quote from Rolling Stone sets you up to think so. The problem is that the movie is not as funny as either of those two films. Roger (Jon Heder) is a goofball, wimpy meter maid who is in definite need of a spine. He’s smitten with his next door neighbor Amanda (Jacinda Barrett), but is always getting shot down by her snarky roommate Becky (Sarah Silverman). After going to the gym to only find out that his fifth “big brother” adoptee kid has dumped him because he’s a wimp, his pal Ian (David Cross) says that he should attend a confidence building class (to the tune of 5 grand). The class is run by Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton) along with his thuggish assistant Lesher (Michael Clarke Duncan). Roger finds that he’s doing well in the class, but he finds out that Dr. P keeps himself up on his game by taking down the most improved student in the class. Soon Dr. P is worming his way into Amanda’s life and making Roger look like a complete psycho. So Roger has to track down a former ace student of the class (Ben Stiller) and find a way to beat Dr. P at his own game. Though it’s supposed to be a remake of the 1960 British film, I don’t think that this film comes close to being as funny as the original. Both Jon Heder and Billy Bob Thornton are playing thinly veiled variations on their other characters, Napoleon Dynamite and Bad Santa. At least it feels that way. Heder doesn’t have the curly hair or coke bottle glasses and Thornton spends the film sober, but you still can’t help but think of those other films. The big blurb from Rolling Stone on the cover really doesn’t help matters. The film does not live up to the comic potential that the scenario promises.

Dr P teaches his students to be the lions of the jungle

The problem is the movie needs some tightening up. We have some comic premises that seems to be strung along by the long middle of the film. The whole scenario with having to track down the former star student seems like just a gimmick to have Ben Stiller make a less than funny cameo. It feels like the movie just veers into this plot point because there were able to get Stiller and it could’ve been taken out to tighten up the film. The movie does have a few laughs but they’re not enough.School for Scoundrels is presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. This version is the unrated, ballbuster edition (107 minutes). A PG-13 (100 minutes) and fullscreen unrated edition are available separately. Special features include a commentary by writer/director Todd Phillips and writer Scot Armstrong. First up is a 4 minute alternate ending that features a more subtle version of the ending that’s in the film. The 19 minute “The Making of You Didn’t See on TV” features interviews with David Cross, Billy Bob Thornton, director Todd Phillips, Sarah Silverman, Jon Heder, actor Matt Walsh, actor Paul Scheer, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Jacinda Barrett. There’s also a bit where Napoleon Dynamite meets Karl from Sling Blade. A 2 minute gag reel and the theatrical trailer finish out the special features. School for Scoundrels is an idea for a funny movie, but I don’t think that this movie lived up that the comic potential that the premise offered. There are some funny bits but there are a lot more not so funny bits. It might be worth one look for fans of the two starring actors.