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From Amazon.co.uk
School for Scoundrels is the kind of stupid-fun comedy for which the phrase "Wait for the DVD" was invented. Like a lot of its jokes, it fell flat in its brief theatrical release, but there's enough funny stuff here to warrant a look, especially if you enjoyed writer-director Todd Phillips' previous films Old School and Road Trip. Of course, Phillips also directed the comedy remake of Starsky and Hutch, so you know there's going to be as many misses as hits in the movie's constant barrage of slapstick, insults, and tasteless gags. Loosely inspired by the 1960 British comedy directed by Robert Hamer, this crudely Americanized version finds a meek and geeky parking-meter reader named Roger (Napoleon Dynamite's John Heder) looking for love and not getting any, so he enrolls in a confidence-building school led by Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton), who turns out to be Roger's #1 rival in his quest to win the heart of Amanda (Jacinda Barrett), Roger's cute Australian neighbour and the would-be girl of his dreams. As an escalating war of one-upmanship in which Roger's quick learning provokes Dr. P's competitive instincts, School for Scoundrels isn't exactly a laff-riot, but it's got some aces up its sleeve that make it worthwhile, like a crazed appearance by Ben Stiller, a fun if not-always-funny supporting cast (Michael Clark Duncan, Horatio Sanz, Todd Louiso) and a pair of stars who work well together as comedic opposites in the game of love. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton as a bullying self-improvement tutor. Roger (Jon Heder) is a spineless NY meter-maid who drives a three-wheeled electric vehicle for a living. He's plagued by low self-esteem and anxiety attacks and, in general, is a rather poor excuse for a man. On a friend's advice, he signs up for a secret self-improvement class at the local community college run by Dr. P (Thornton) - a bullying, sadistic, despot; sample line - 'you can't help yourself, because yourself sucks'. When Roger graduates class and starts to get comfortable with his new backbone, however, he finds that Dr. P has taken a shine to Amanda (Jacinda Barrett) the object of his desires. The game, as they say, is ON.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If you have seen the original "School for Scoundrels" with Terry Thomas and Ian Carmichael and you rent this film expecting it to be just as funny then you're going to be disappointed.
It's fine if you like films where wit and subtlety have been replaced by casual swearing.
Come back from the pub on a Friday night and pop this into the DVD player and you'll get a few laughs.
A talented cast tries its best with the thin script but they can only do so much.
It's fine if you like films where wit and subtlety have been replaced by casual swearing.
Come back from the pub on a Friday night and pop this into the DVD player and you'll get a few laughs.
A talented cast tries its best with the thin script but they can only do so much.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By J. S. Meins
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
The trailer made this remake look like quite a slapstick affair, but in reality this has got quite a lot more going for it. Its basically a comedy version of Fight Club with a twist of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and The Game thrown into the mix. Heder plays a traffic warden who joins a secret school run by Billy-Bob, a man who makes losers into lions...or does he?
I havent seen the original but I thought this was an excellent and extremely funny film.
The special features are above average with an alternate ending that manages to better the original (not as silly) and a 30 minute featurette which sends up sycophantic "making of..." documentaries and features a very funny moment where Thornton and Heder send up their Napoleon Dynamite/Sling Blade characters.
I havent seen the original but I thought this was an excellent and extremely funny film.
The special features are above average with an alternate ending that manages to better the original (not as silly) and a 30 minute featurette which sends up sycophantic "making of..." documentaries and features a very funny moment where Thornton and Heder send up their Napoleon Dynamite/Sling Blade characters.
By Colin Banks
Format:DVD
For those who think this is hilarious, i just think the standards of hilarity must have slipped since the original film was made in 1959. The nuanced performance of Alistair Sim is incomparable, with the naieve Ian Carmichael bumbling through life before he discovers the secrets of Lifemanship.
It is an OK watch but I think it loses the spirit of the original story and it is hard to define it as a re-make.
It is an OK watch but I think it loses the spirit of the original story and it is hard to define it as a re-make.
By ricky
Format:DVD
i was taken by surprise by this bargain bin also-ran of a movie. it's terrific! great cast, sharp writing and so re-watchable. it's like tea & hot, buttered crumpets on a rainy afternoon. billy-bob thornton gives his best performance since 'sling blade' here. no kidding. funny, clever and oddly touching. i love it.
By Tom Gilpin
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS. I AM DELIBERATELY DOING THIS IN CAPITALS TO SHOW YOU THE IDEA. i bought this for my moms christmas present it is amazing buy buy buy buy buy buy buy it its hilarious and you really grow on roger wardell not suitable for anyone under 10 depending on how mature they are if they can hear the word tit without being silly about it then fair enough but if not save it a few yearsbut yes hilarious film absolutely amazing words cant express
By Katrina-UK
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
I've got to say, this is one of the funniest films I've seen in a long time, and I can't believe it wasn't on at the cinema. I cannnot understand why some people have given it poor reviews - it's laugh out loud hilarious!
When Jon Heder's negative lifestyle gets too much for him, his friend gives him a telephone number to ring that will 'help' him. When he rings the number he realises it's an enrolment programme for a class. Presuming it's a 'confidence building' class he goes along, but it turns out to be a lot more, and changes his life in more ways than one... Billy Bob Thornton steals the show as the doctor. A man who is a player, has lots of secrets, tells lies and is deceitful, and can turn on the charm when needed, plus a lot more besides...There is also an appearance by Ben Stiller as one of the doctor's ex-students who went astray.
Besides the film, I also thoroughly enjoyed the extra features on the dvd - very funny:p
When Jon Heder's negative lifestyle gets too much for him, his friend gives him a telephone number to ring that will 'help' him. When he rings the number he realises it's an enrolment programme for a class. Presuming it's a 'confidence building' class he goes along, but it turns out to be a lot more, and changes his life in more ways than one... Billy Bob Thornton steals the show as the doctor. A man who is a player, has lots of secrets, tells lies and is deceitful, and can turn on the charm when needed, plus a lot more besides...There is also an appearance by Ben Stiller as one of the doctor's ex-students who went astray.
Besides the film, I also thoroughly enjoyed the extra features on the dvd - very funny:p
By Kaytei
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I recommend this film to people who like Anchorman and Napoleon Dynamite...it's light-hearted and innocent: great family viewing. I've seen it three times now and I still find things to laugh at :) I give this film five stars!!
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ernie
Format:DVD
I put off renting this for quite a while as the original 1960 `School For Scoundrels' is one of my favourite films, while this isn't as bad as I thought it might be, it's really not a patch on the original film.
This version takes the absolute barebones of the original 1960 film's plot it but completely screws up the original storyline. In the original film the main character is always being outshone by his arch-rival Raymond Delauney, enrols at the College of Lifemanship and is schooled in the secrets of success by Professor Potter. In this remake the character of Delauney is completely missing and replaced by a feud with the mysterious, aggressive and devious "Dr P". Nearly all of the key scenes from the original are also missing, including the major sub-plot where he's conned into buying an old banger by two dodgy second-hand car salesmen.
The original film with Ian Carmichael, Terry Thomas and Alastair Sim was both charming and very funny, but this has neither of those qualities. It's not particularly bad; it's just not that funny, incredibly clichéd and instantly forgettable. If you want to see one of the best black and white British comedies of all time then check out the original, otherwise give this a miss.
This version takes the absolute barebones of the original 1960 film's plot it but completely screws up the original storyline. In the original film the main character is always being outshone by his arch-rival Raymond Delauney, enrols at the College of Lifemanship and is schooled in the secrets of success by Professor Potter. In this remake the character of Delauney is completely missing and replaced by a feud with the mysterious, aggressive and devious "Dr P". Nearly all of the key scenes from the original are also missing, including the major sub-plot where he's conned into buying an old banger by two dodgy second-hand car salesmen.
The original film with Ian Carmichael, Terry Thomas and Alastair Sim was both charming and very funny, but this has neither of those qualities. It's not particularly bad; it's just not that funny, incredibly clichéd and instantly forgettable. If you want to see one of the best black and white British comedies of all time then check out the original, otherwise give this a miss.
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