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School for Scoundrels (2006) More at IMDbPro »

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89 comments in total

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61 out of 76 people found the following comment useful :-
Good comedy, 7 October 2006

Author: Dsty2004 from United States

I've seen countless teeny bopper comedies the past couple of years, and I can honestly say, this wasn't one of them.

This was a good, straight forward comedy, with some hilarious moments and a lovable character. The story was also interesting, even though it was very predictable from the beginning (I don't know many people who watch comedies for a complex, deep, mysterious story line anyways)

My favorite thing about the movie is all the actors fit in perfectly with the characters they are playing. Especially the main character, who develops through the movie from a weak, shy, kind hearted guy, to somebody who is still kind at heart, but not afraid to defend himself and fight for what he wants.

This isn't the best comedy ever, but its good. And I would recommend it to anybody looking for a good laugh out loud movie with lovable characters.

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50 out of 69 people found the following comment useful :-
Fun and Very Funny, But an Old Formula, 1 October 2006

Author: The_Defiant1 from United States

This is a fun movie that offers exactly what the previews promise and a little more. John Heder does a great job as does Billy Bob Thornton. The only drawback of the plot is that we've seen it a million times before if you watch this genre of movie. Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton) plays an overbearing and obnoxious school teacher teaching Roger (John Heder) and the other students how not to be wimps. The purpose of the course backfires when Roger finds out Dr. P does not like to be outdone. This movie could be compared to any comedy where the underdog must overcome the odds to win the girl. Regardless of the predictable plot, the comedy is clever and fun. This movie is worth seeing in the theater. The previews are faithful, but don't give away all of the humor. The humor is consistent throughout and it doesn't leave you tapping you fingers or looking at your watch.

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44 out of 66 people found the following comment useful :-
Saw a preview - very funny in parts, 7 September 2006

Author: mikeontheriver from United States

I saw a preview yesterday, and the movie is very funny in parts. I laughed so hard I cried a couple of times. On the other hand, there are times when the movie seems to drag on too long. In my opinion, this movie is two stories in one - and one works great, and the other not so much. The whole school for scoundrels thing is hysterical. Any scene with Heder and his buddies had the audience roaring. Jon Glaser was my favorite - will somebody get this guy his own movie, please?! But everything outside that was definitely not on the same level. Even the brilliant Ben Stiller, Sara Silverman and David Cross didn't work nearly as well, nor did the scenes of competition between Heder and Thornton. It's still worth seeing for the scenes that do work with his buddies though, as you don't get to laugh that hard too often. - Mikeontheriver

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21 out of 29 people found the following comment useful :-
Scoundrel is synonymous with Thornton, Heder is unusual choice for a leading man, 26 November 2006

Author: Amy Adler from Toledo, Ohio

Roger (Jon Heder) is a wimpy parking meter attendant for NYC. After losing his uniform to thieves on the job and being dumped from the big brother program, he is despondent. Add to this his unrequited crush on a beautiful neighbor named Amanda (Jacinda Barrett), and you have a man on the proverbial ropes. However, a well-meaning friend gives him information about a secret class in male self-esteem, run by the harsh Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton). In class and on outings, Dr. P uses tough tactics to turn his unfortunate students into successful men. But, what happens when Dr. P decides to put the moves on Amanda, after a chance meeting? Does Roger have what it takes to thwart Dr P's efforts and win Amanda for himself? This is a fairly nice but easily disposable film. Thornton is, of course, a natural choice for the scoundrel teacher and he delivers a good-and-slimy performance. Barrett is beautiful and touching as the love interest, adding greatly to the film's enjoyment. Heder, although a good comic performer, seems all wrong as a romantic lead. But, perhaps it is a bit refreshing for someone without the knockout good looks to go for broke in the love department. Ben Stiller has a fine cameo as a wacko ex-student of Dr. P. The setting in NYC and the costumes are nice. All in all, the film is a satisfying view for a rainy day. But, it doesn't seem like a movie that will be remembered or talked about five years down the road.

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23 out of 33 people found the following comment useful :-
Billy Bob Does It Again!, 2 February 2007

Author: CroatianSensation1975 from Canada

In a world full of really moronic teeny bopper movies, thank the heavens we have Billy Bob Thorton. Here in "School For Scoundrels", he is as hilarious as ever!

Roger is a loser living in New York City. He has a terrible job, gets no respect from his co-workers, and has never dated a woman. Secretly, he has a crush on his neighbor Amanda, but is so shy, he can't get up the nerve to ask her out. When his friend recommends him to Dr. P (played fabulously by Billy Bob in his trademark type role), his life seems to be finally turning around. However, Dr. P has a secret agenda up his sleeve.

Billy Bob does a great job in this film, as well as all the other mostly unknown actors. The story was funny and fun. It's nice to see comedy films geared towards the "older" crowd. Had a few twists and turns I didn't see coming. Very enjoyable film! Overall, I give this film an 8/10.

If you enjoy a good comedy that's not all about fart jokes or satire (as all "comedies" seem to be these days), check it out! I'm sure you will enjoy it!

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8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Just funny, 24 December 2007

Author: barrys82 from Mexico

This is a comedy of very dark humor which I enjoy. Its not the greatest but it simply fulfills its purpose of giving a enjoyable moment to the viewer. The story is convincing. A loser living in New York with a crappy job, and no self-esteem seeks for help with a man called Dr. P to win the love of his neighbor Amanda. The cast is really good, Billy Bob Thornton in a role that fits him like a glove, his performance was excellent. Jon Heder also with a role that fits him really well, he is constantly evolving as an actor and a comedian. Michael Clark Duncan was hilarious, never thought he could be that funny. The brief appearance from Ben Stiller as Lonnie was really convincing. The supporting cast like Horatio Sanz, Todd Louiso and Luis Guzmán is a really good complement.

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Better Than Expected *SPOILERS*, 7 October 2006

Author: Hogslice

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I went with trepidation and worried that this movie would fall on its face. However, I was pleasantly surprised and thought it was put together well, the acting was above average and the story line was acceptable and held my attention. John Heder did show acting ability and exceeded my expectations. He did well at portraying a schlep in the beginning of the movie and then transformed into a competitive stud at the end. Jacinda Barrett was very cute and acted well and BB Thorton played his part well. Michael Clarke Duncan, Ben Stiller and Sarah Silverman added a dimension of humor that seemed to complete the main characters. I thought it was well written and that it seemed to flow at a good pace and developed the characters as well as you can in a 100 minute movie. I'm not saying it's an award movie of any kind, but it exceeded my expectations and was worth my $5 (matinee price in my area).

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12 out of 21 people found the following comment useful :-
A bad remake of a masterpiece, 4 May 2007

Author: collipal-1 from Argentina

I consider the British film School for Scoundrels or How to Win Without Actually Cheating!(1960)as one of the best comedies I have ever seen.The film is not only extremely funny...it also has a great level of sophistication behind the humor.But,the remake is not funny(I think I only laughed a little in one scene)and when a comedy is not funny,there's a serious problem.School for Scoundrels(2006)is like a person who tells a joke without sense of humor.The film shows very used jokes without any sense of humor and the experience finishes being a boring comedy without sense of humor.Jon Heder is an excellent actor(if you have any doubts he's an excellent actor,watch Napoleon Dynamite)but he's totally wasted here.The same happens with the great Billy Bob Thornton.Both are excellent actors wasted in a bad comedy.School for Scoundrels is a bad remake of a masterpiece.I totally recommend the original film...it's may difficult to get it but the experience is totally funny and sophisticated.

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18 out of 33 people found the following comment useful :-
Starts off fresh, then just settles on stale, 26 September 2006

Author: bartonfink-1 from Vancouver, Canada

Went to preview screening last night and was pleasantly amused for the first hour but then it just went downhill. Jon Heder's performance is pretty much flat, not bad in any way except that it does nothing to beyond what was on the page. This is typical of most of the cast who seem to be engaged in some sort of paint by numbers exercise. Even Billy Bob Thorton who is well cast as a drill instructor for losers loses steam. Todd Luiso, best known for the wimpy employee in High Fidelity is probably the only actor that manages to turn in something worthy of appreciation. There is an oneupmanship sequence reminiscent of "Rushmore" but only serves to make one wish they were watching that instead. Wait till it's in the video store and you have trouble agreeing what to rent and need something bland.

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3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Okay. Just Okay., 28 February 2007

Author: (misterkyo-1) from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This is a very, very typical movie. As soon as one sees the leading lady, the plot outline is clear: guy charms lady, guy seemingly betrays lady, guy gives speech, guy gets girl in the end. It's annoying how, in a movie filled with actors I love, they couldn't manage anything over okay.

Don't be mistaken, though; there are some very funny moments in the movie. Seeing Heder nail Billy Bob over and over again on the tennis court was probably the highlight of the movie for me. Some parts are so typical it hurts, though, like the ending in the airport. Every plot "twist" was so obvious that it had me laughing, in a bad way.

Overall, it's the kind of movie that you rent if you're bored and can't think of anything else to get. Do NOT buy this on DVD.

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