Imagine the poor nerd-like Roger, who is humiliated on a daily basis by his co-workers. He is such a pathetic individual that even the Big Brother group he mentors want to get rid of him. What to do? How about enrolling in a school that will give him the skills that will help him overcome his own shortcomings. For that, he goes to Dr. P's school where supposedly he will learn, among other things, how to overcome his inability to deal with the tormentors he faces everywhere and then get to have great sex that has been denied to him.
The premise of this comedy must have sounded great to the people behind the project. Todd Phillips, after all, is a major talent that has done much better. Writing the screenplay together with Scot Armstrong, and loosely based on the original English film of the same title, one would have expected a laughter riot. After all, the casting seemed made in heaven.
The pairing of Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder, should have yielded an edgier comedy, but alas, it was not meant to be. One cannot blame the actors involved because the material given for them to act, doesn't hold many surprises. There are isolated parts that are funny and work. Most of the time the gags feel flat.
Even though the end product is not what one expected, "School of Scoundrels" has its moments and it could be a film to watch with friends if the group is into a party mood.
The premise of this comedy must have sounded great to the people behind the project. Todd Phillips, after all, is a major talent that has done much better. Writing the screenplay together with Scot Armstrong, and loosely based on the original English film of the same title, one would have expected a laughter riot. After all, the casting seemed made in heaven.
The pairing of Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder, should have yielded an edgier comedy, but alas, it was not meant to be. One cannot blame the actors involved because the material given for them to act, doesn't hold many surprises. There are isolated parts that are funny and work. Most of the time the gags feel flat.
Even though the end product is not what one expected, "School of Scoundrels" has its moments and it could be a film to watch with friends if the group is into a party mood.