Mr. Woodcock (2008)

I still remember the meanest teacher I've ever had back in High School. That short guy always punished the students for little or no reason at all and unfortunately we just had to deal with it (doing pushups with your knuckles is not fun at all). I'm sure that most of us can relate to these unpleasant--and sometimes even painful--memories from childhood. Mr. Woodcock is a movie about that teacher that you loved to hate. Not only made poor John miserable as a boy, but he is coming back to date his mom. This is without a doubt, one of the funniest films of the year (unfortunately not many critics believe this statement). It follows the Meet the Parents formula with situational jokes and great performances by Billy Bob Thornton and Seann William Scott who together are dynamite and perfectly suitable for their roles.

Brief Intro Story:

John Farley (Seann William Scott) is a junior high kid who is constantly suffering humiliation by his gym teacher Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton). Little John is not the only victim here, but all of the kids from his class suffer by the same demeaning punishment.

Thirteen years has passed and now Farley is a successful writer who has a best selling book called "Letting Go, How to get past your past"--inspired by his childhood memories. As he is traveling around the country promoting his book with his agent Maggie Hoffman (Amy Poehler), he finds out that he just got an award from his hometown. It will be a great opportunity to say hello to his dear mother Beverly (Susan Sarandon) who lives alone--unfortunately John lost his father years ago.

As he gets home to say hello to his mom, he finds found that she is dating no other than his number one nemesis Mr. Woodcock. There is bad blood almost instantly between them and John will do anything to separate them.

Review:

Mr. Woodcock entertains mostly because of the hostility and obsession--and many assumptions--that John has towards his old gym teacher. He remembers him with anger and in a way--even though he is a young adult now--he still sees him through the eyes of a bitter child. He cannot stand the fact that he is dating his mom and he is willing to give up his career as a writer in order to stop this relationship. John also notices that his adversary is a great figure in his community. Why is that so? But he makes a mistake by not understanding Woodcock's persona with more depth. Why is he like that with the students? Is he doing it to discipline his students so they can become better people? He is surprised that no one can see his dark side but him--his mom is totally in love with the guy. Mr. Woodcock is full of surprises and John is going to find out the hard way.

Besides the situational jokes (the Tyra Banks Show and the last reunion scene are my favorites), animosity between teacher and student and great chemistry between both foes, the film works because director Craig Gillespie injects a bit of drama and mutual understanding, especially towards the end of the film. I guarantee the ending will please the audience.

The Verdict:

despised by many critics but praised but few (I'm one of those few). Mr. Woodcock is an entertaining film that deals with those evil teachers we remember from our childhood days, but we never get to know them that well. In a way Mr. Woodcock "helped" John to become a successful writer. Of course it is debatable, but what's not debatable is the interesting story, great amount of jokes, and chemistry between Seann William Scott and Billy Bob Thornton who are perfect doing these kinds of comedies.

After surviving the wrath of his take-no-prisoners gym teacher Jasper Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton), John Farley (Seann William Scott) has grown from a fat nerd to a successful self-help book author. On his way home to accept a citizenship award at this year's Cornival, he finds out his mother Beverly (Susan Sarandon) is dating Woodcock for quite a while. With his forgotten past now back, he make whatever attempts he can to prove to his mother that Woodcock is no good for him.

You know, some less-than-successful comedies have at least some charm to make them at least get some worthy laughs. "Hot Rod", as silly as it was, benefited from Andy Samberg's determined performance that gave him a movie career once he breaks free from "Saturday Night Live"'s grasp. But when it comes to a film like "Mr. Woodcock", sometimes there isn't much hope. Adding insult to injury was the fact that it spent quite a while in hiding before being unleashed to unsuspecting moviegoers.

First off, there is a solid cast backed here: Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott, Ethan Suplee, Amy Poehler, and Susan Sarandon. Honestly, a cast like this can bring any material to life. However, a cast like this needs a stable filmmaker to help guide them, and Craig Gillespie ("Lars and the Real Girl") is not the filmmaker for the job.

I must disgress that leads Thornton and Scott are very funny men, but unless the film is rated R or even funny, they can bomb right at the start. That's probably why Thornton's biting one-liners and drill sergeant delivery, which worked so well in "Bad Santa" and "Bad News Bears", feel like leftovers. Scott's an even bigger curiosity; is he trying to mimic his "Dude, Where's My Car" co-star Ashton Kutcher's move from a comic powerhouse to a nice guy in movies? Only co-stars Suplee and Poehler come off unscathed and deliver the film's source of laughs that the film so desperately desires.

The rest of the film is flat and been-there-done-that: crotch whallops, pratfalls involving senior citizens (not even Adam Sandler would dare use this as comedy), sexual innuendo (the banging-your-mom line is used ad nauseum), a love interest (Melissa Sagemiller) that doesn't fit in with the film, and even sentimentality. The latter one is a crushing blow. It's not as mind-numbingly grim as Adam Sandler's "Click", but once Farley tries to unmask Woodcock's supposed evildoings, Gillespie tries to paint sympathy that is hardly warranted in the first place.

It's a shame that Mr. Woodcock is such a lame film, because whenever Gillespie films scenes with Suplee or Poehler, it's where he's in a comfort zone, allowing these two fine comic actors ease pain that would've came had they not been in the film. Regardless, it's still not a funny film, and disappointing work from Scott, Thornton, and Sarandon. And to think David Dobkin ("Wedding Crashers") was involved; maybe his collaborations with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn were flukes?

Buy Mr. Woodcock (2008) Now

I am so disappointed in this film. Thornton and Scott are in my opinion two of the most hilarious actors in the business today. I thought the movie had plenty potential but I can't remember laughing one time throughout. School of Scoundrels wasn't great but at least I remember a few funny scenes. I hope Billy Bob and Scott will team up again but hopefully in a better movie!

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A few laughs are sprinkled in here and there, but at best this is a 2.5 star effort, if that.

Billy Bob Thornton seems to be continuing the role that he played in School for Scoundrels. Seann William Scott plays the picked on school kid (John Farley) that suffered at the hands of the sadistic gym teacher played by Billy Bob Thornton. Susan Sarandon is the mother of Seann William Scott who just happens to be dating Thornton's Mr. Woodcock, which leaves Farley wondering just why his mother can't see how horrible Woodcock really is. (My wife noted that the Seann William Scott role here is similar to that played by Richard Dreyfus in What About Bob?)

At 87 minutes running time, at least the movie ends fairly quickly. If you like Billy Bob Thornton, you may enjoy this movie more than others. Same for the Seann William Scott fans out there (I assume there are a few). Outside of that, consider finding your entertainment value elsewhere.

I'm glad my PS3 didn't spit out the disc, but then again it would be nice if Blu-ray was used for something better.

Want Mr. Woodcock (2008) Discount?

This movie was a total waste a time. Talk about a Billy Bob playing the same character over and over again, but less funny. Actually not even funny at all. Save yourself 88 minutes of your life.

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