School for Scoundrels
Starring Jon Heder, Billy Bob Thornton, Jacinda Barrett, and Michael Clarke DuncanDirected by Todd Phillips
Every film season has its trend, and, like it or not, the last couple months have developed into the "Summer of 'Snakes on a Plane.'" In its latest attempt to tap into the lucrative adolescent boy market, Hollywood has discovered that this population, in a very "Jerry Springer" sort of way, adores comedic mayhem.
First, there was the movie with ten straight minutes of humorous snake attacks; then, opening only a week later, "Beerfest," which created a barrage of equally random, alcohol-inspired antics.
Now, with "School for Scoundrels," MGM has put the reigning king of adolescent humor, director Todd Phillips (2003's "Old School" and 2000's "Road Trip"), in a room with a camera and let loose dozens of quirky, hilarious and possibly deadly comedians. What might sound like an automatic hit would have greatly benefited from more thought and planning. As it stands, the too-hastily conceived film reveals the limitations on this new style of mayhem comedy.
The plot is simple: Napoleon Dynamite - er, Jon Heder - plays (gasp) a loser named Roger who turns to a motivational class taught by Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Clarke Duncan to improve his social graces. Though he improves almost instantaneously, Roger finds a new set of problems when Thornton's character sets his sights on Roger's crush. Aided by his classmates, Heder must learn to outwit the man who taught him everything he knows.
Does this plot sound familiar? Even if you haven't seen the dismal "Hitch" (2005), you should know that re-using the same idea is counterintuitive. "Scoundrels" is, in fact, a remake of a 1960 British movie of the same name. Despite this consistency, though, the writers and actors paid little attention to the previous work, simply using it as a formula for an easy, cookie-cutter plot.
Jon Heder is in a difficult spot as an actor. Everyone knows him for his breakthrough movie, "Napoleon Dynamite" (2004) and "The Benchwarmers" (2006), which flopped and cast him in a similar role to his first. "Scoundrels" is an excellent career move, because it basically shows him playing two different personalities in the same story.
Though it mirrors Steve Urkel's ridiculous transformation into the suave Stefan of ABC's "Family Matters," Heder's transformation is actually slightly conceivable and showcases his range to people who only showed up to "Scoundrels" to see more of Napoleon.
Beyond the ridiculous plot, the main flaw of the script is that it is inconsistent in choosing which resources to highlight. In its better moments, the writers make time for the supporting actors such as Horatio Sanz, Todd Louiso and Luis Guzmán who serve as Roger's classmates.
Though there are several winning one-liners, these comedians are so talented in the world of physical comedy that they can make you laugh simply by their reactions to other characters. Because of this, most of the movie's laughs are limited to this mayhem, making the viewer temporarily forget about the plot. Unfortunately, most of the script is centered on the plot, or the less funny chemistry between Heder and Thornton.
If anyone doubts the targeting of this movie toward adolescent boys, it should be noted that there are two female characters, compared with over 15 male parts. Beyond this inequality, the leading female character, the object of Heder and Thornton's affection, is nothing more than that: an object.
Jacinda Barrett plays the traditional female lead in a man's movie: desired entirely for her good looks but demonstrates no other characteristics whatsoever. Sarah Silverman plays the only strong female character that this type of movie is willing to incorporate: the typical, bitchy roommate, which she plays with expertise.
In the age of reality TV, producers know that all they need to do to make a successful comedy is create awkwardness. With so many seasoned physical comedians at play, "School for Scoundrels" is sure to live up to its hype by having a big opening weekend and then fade into obscurity, hopefully along with the entire trend of mayhem comedies.
Why couldn't it have been the "Summer of 'Little Miss Sunshine'"?
