School For Scoundrels Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Too nice? Too honest? Too *you*? Help is on the way.
The passive are about to get aggressive.
Nice Guys Graduate Last.
Life's A Game. Learn How To Play.
Roger, a beleaguered New York City meter maid, is plagued by anxiety and low self-esteem. In order to overcome his feelings of inadequacy, Roger enrolls in a top-secret confidence-building class taught by the suavely underhanded Dr. P. Aided by his assistant, Lesher, Dr. P uses unorthodox, often dangerous methods, but he guarantees results: Employ his techniques and you will unleash your inner lion. Surrounded by a band of misfit classmates - Walsh, who's dying to move out of mother's basement; Diego, a punching bag for his hen-pecker of a wife; and Eli, a shy guy just looking for female companionship - Roger's confidence grows and he makes his way to the head of the class, even finding the courage to ask out his longtime crush, Amanda. But Roger quickly discovers that star students have a way of catapulting Dr. P's competitive side into high gear. Soon enough, the teacher sets out to infiltrate and destroy Roger's personal and professional life. Nothing is off limits for Dr. P, not even the object of Roger's affection. In order to show Amanda Dr. P's true colors, Roger must rally his new friends and find a way to beat the master at his own game.
| Billy Bob Thornton | Dr. P |
| Jon Heder | Roger |
| Jacinda Barrett | Amanda |
| Matt Walsh | Walsh |
| Horatio Sanz | Diego |
| Todd Louiso | Eli |
| Michael Clarke Duncan | Lesher |
| Paul Scheer | Little Pete |
| Joanne Baron | Lois |
| Jon Glaser | Ernie |
| Leonard Earl Howze | Carl |
| Jim Parsons | Class #8 |
| Aziz Ansari | Class #9 |
| Remy K. Selma | Class #10 |
| Andrew Daly | Class #11 |
| Todd Phillips |
5.90 out of 10 (4152 votes)
Visitor Reviews
"Fight Club" for losers - disappointingly inert and unfunny comedy
posted on 18 Aug 2009SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS (2006) * Jon Heder, Billy Bob Thornton, Jacinda Barrett, Matt Walsh, Horatio Sanz, Todd Louiso, Michael Clarke Duncan, Sarah Silverman, David Cross, Luis Guzman. (Cameo: Ben Stiller) Disappointingly flat and inert comedy about a loser (Heder) who enlists in a self-awareness class run by a sadist (Thornton) whose questionable methods lead him to believe he can overcome his short-comings by winning over his lovely neighbor (Barrett) until he finds out the good doctor has deigns on her himself. Woefully unfunny and too cruel to be kind methods make the viewer squirm instead of laugh. (Dir: Todd Phillips)
YOU CAN'T HELP YOURSELF BECAUSE YOURSELF SUCKS!
posted on 09 Aug 2009
One-Upmanship is back!
If you tolerated ROADTRIP, if you found OLD SCHOOL moderately entertaining then you might consider "SCOUNDRELS." Director Todd Phillips, this time assembles Billy Bob Thornton (of BAD SANTA) and Jon Heder (of NAPOLEON DYNAMITE and BENCHWARMERS) for this remake of Robert Hamer's 1960 screen version of Stephen Potter's series of One-Upmanship or Lifemanship books outlining how to win without actually cheating (check them out, written a century ago but still classics).
Heder is Roger NYC meter maid so cowardly he pays the tickets he rights! He can't find it in himself to as out his lovely neighbor Amanda (Jacinda Barrett, of Poseidon). He is refered to enroll in a course converting losers to lions with the ladies, taught by Thornton's Dr. P with the burly assist of Michael Clarke Duncan as Lesher. Other mama's boy misfits enrolled are a "whipped" Horatio Sanz, Matt Walsh and Todd Louiso's obligatory virgin. After Roger proves himself too good a student, Dr. P wants to seduce Amanda to prove he is still in charge, then the One-upmanship begins this-time school is out and student is a master, sortof.
The theme is as classic and as familiar as the books themselves. So are the punchlines. Heder and Thornton (who even takes a shot at ex-Jolie) keep the goofs coming, Ben Stiller adds to the hilarity all too briefly. Overall, sort of mild considering the salsa from Phillips in the past.
Had funny moments but is essentially Anger Management remake
posted on 06 Aug 2009I like Billy Bob Thortan so I gave this one a shot. Billy Bob had his typical bad attitude and was extremely funny at times but it just felt too much like a lesser version of anger management.The lead character is a wimp who is a meter maid and in love with this woman that the class instructor comes to fall in love with. The class teaches him to be assertive and take what he wants. It really was the same plot as Anger Management.The big difference between this and Anger Management is that Anger Management was much funnier with pairing Jack Nicolson with Adam Sandler funnier myself.It is basically the same plot but this movie is worth renting when it comes out on video for decent entertainment.
Funny Movie That Keeps You Entertained.....
posted on 01 Aug 2009If you thought Jon Heder was a good actor in "Napoleon Dynamite", you love his acting in this movie!
This movie is not only funny, wacky and fairly original in terms of plot line, but the actors also do a terrific job in playing their roles. The storyline keeps you guessing as to what will happen next..... So, I'd say this movie has a nice mix of both humor and storyline.
dumb movie with a weak ending
posted on 19 Jul 2009My 14 year old son and I had high hopes for this movie. Theater was packed for the sneak preview with 13 - 18 males. Some funny parts but it is cheap humor and the ending is so weak you expected a bigger payoff. Not to mention you will have to suspend your disbelief big time during the airport scene. The preview for Mr. Woodcock (also starring Billy Bob) was funnier than the whole movie was. However, some of the comments I heard for the crowd as we were leaving, "Funnest movie I have seen in a long time". "Would go see it again". Maybe the movie was targeted for that age range and it might pay off for them. But, the laughs were crotch shots and other physical stunts. Anyway, I expected more.
When is a remake REALLY a remake?
posted on 17 Jul 2009Reading the other comments on this film showed that few people realize the title, at least, hails from a British film released in 1960, which while having the same name, is fundamentally different. Indeed, I could find NO reference to the original in the film's credits (which I suspect saved them some CASH).Which brings into focus the whole issue of "remakes'.For instance, the recent film entitled "The Italian Job" was really NOT a remake. It was merely the central character's favourite film and it "inspired" him to use the techniques in the film to pull off a job. In fact, the recent film might have done better with a completely DIFFERENT title, as it must have irritated many viewers who were expecting a true remake. In fact, if you forget about the original film, the "remake" - as a stand-alone film - is actually quite GOOD.The same could be said of "The House On Haunted Hill".On the other hand, TRUE remakes are usually RUBBISH. Treatments of great modern French films and classic British and American films almost ALWAYS suffer in comparison with their originals. This writer avoids them like the plague - I only watched this one (on TV) to see how the subtlety of the original's theme of Lifemanship, Gamesmanship and One-Upmanship had been handled by Hollywood - it hadn't.In fact, apart from Billy Bob Thornton's character name of "Dr P" (an obvious reference to Alistair Sim's character - "Potter" - taken from the original writer of the books which formed the basis for the original film) and the inclusion of a game of tennis (Ian Carmichael did not HIT Sim in the original!) the only thing taken from the original was the concept of a secret school designed to turn losers into winners.But in the original, this was achieved by the use of "ploys" designed to instill doubt and confusion in the students' opponents - "Your opponent is everyone who is not YOU" - while in the "remake", the "techniques" involved were more akin to a self-assertiveness class, with subtlety being replaced by naked aggression.So, as with the "remakes" of "The Italian Job" and "The House On Haunted Hill", this is a film that did itself NO favours by trying to be another example of Hollywood's OBSESSION with remakes. As with the afore-mentioned, it was actually quite a good film on IT'S OWN MERIT.
Better than a movie with both Horatio Sanz and Jon Heder has any right to be.
posted on 17 Jul 2009Let's take a trip back in time, shall we? All the way back to August 29, 2006 when I unveiled my wildly hilarious and alarmingly accurate Weinstein Company Fall/Winter Preview. If you'll recall (and I'm sure y'all have my previews memorized), I was NOT looking forward to School for Scoundrels. For the sake of those who are too lazy to click on the link above, here are my initial assumptions:"Sigh. Do we really need more Jon Heder movies? Plus, how good can a movie with Horatio Sanz be? My guess - not very. Ah well, Billy Bob Thornton and David Cross are in it, so maybe it has potential. Let's check out the trailer...Huh. Is this supposed to be an unfunny 're-imagining' of Rushmore? That's certainly the vibe I'm getting. I think I laughed once, maybe twice during the trailer. Johnny's setting his expectations at LOW on this one. Can we sue the studio for including 'hilarious' in the synopsis and not delivering? FALSE ADVERTISEMENT!Or maybe this is one of those rare films that's keeping the jokes out of the trailer and saving them for the film. Oh wait; Jon Heder and Horatio Sanz are in this, never mind."Welp, let's examine my comments in light of the fact that I've now seen the film.* Horatio Sanz' role is small enough for him not to do any damage (except to any chairs he sat in during the filming).* Jon Heder still remains a one-trick circus act, and I pray I never see the guy in tighty whities again, but he's tolerable.* David Cross' role is basically nonexistent, but the rest of the supporting cast is very good and elevates this to a level that Heder couldn't have managed on his own. Jon Glaser (the curly-haired dude from Conan O'Brien) steals every scene he's in. The movie is worth at least a rental if for nothing else other than the line, "There's no doubt in my mind that you'll be murdered." It's all in Glaser's deadpan delivery.* Man, there's a whole lot of ugly in this movie. Juan Guzman, Horatio Sanz, Jon Heder, AND Billy Bob Thornton? They sure aren't given the ladies much enticement to see this, huh? This gives The Night Listener (Robin Williams, Toni Collette, Sandra Oh) strong competition for 2006's Ugliest Cast.* As predicted, Billy Bob's presence does indeed help the proceedings, especially with condemnations on self-help books such as, "You can't help yourself because your self sucks." Good point.* It does borrow the "teacher and student going after the same woman" theme found in Rushmore (and other films), but that's pretty much where the similarities end. I'm not telling you to run out and pay full price to see it because this certainly won't appeal to everybody and I don't want anybody ganging up on me for giving this a blanket recommendation, but I will admit that it's much better than a movie with both Horatio Sanz and Jon Heder has any right to be.There are some slow stretches, jokes that fall "Kate Moss flat," and the two leads fail to bring the movie's biggest laughs, but hey, there are laughs to be had, and that's good enough for me. If you're like many of the people who have told me, "I can't stand that Napoleon Dynamite dude" then it's probably best if you don't risk it.THE GISTSchool for Scoundrels doesn't demand to be seen on the big screen, but there are enough laughs to warrant a rental. If you insist on seeing it at the theater then make it a matinée, lower your expectations, and enjoy.
School for Scoundrels equal to the 1960 British original!
posted on 13 Jul 2009School for Scoundrels (2006) with Billy Bob Thornton as as Doctor "P," which starred Alistair Sim (1900-1976) in the role of Mr. S. Potter. Ian Carmichael (1920-) was the original Henry Palfrey, played now by Jon Heder. Terry-Thomas (1911-1990) was Raymond Delauney, this time played by Scot Armstrong. It is said that writer-director Todd Phillips asked for Billy Bob Thorton for the part of the manipulative Dr.P, an instructor at the Learning Annex, A perfect foil was needed for Scot Anderson and Billy Bob Thornton; Billy Bob was considered the "anti-Christ," so they needed an actor who was 180 degrees different, that is when Jon Heder was brought into the picture, he comes across and naive and very nice. There are similarities in both the old film and the newer one; this one mixed broad comedic sequences with loads of heart. The actors were allowed to improvise while on the set. There was a diagram more or less to follow, but as they wanted the actors to be funny, they were asked to be a little more organic about their approach. It is a farce about one of life's losers who enrolled in a school that taught "one-upmanship." Of course it is a secret class taught after hours by a very suave untrustworthy character, Dr.P! He says he can turn mouse-like men into roaring tigers. As in the original where Henry Palfrey (Ian Carmichael) woes April Smith (Janette Scott 1938), Roger (Jon Heder) woes his secret love too! The entire film is funny and keeps you laughing from start to finish and you'll want to buy a DVD of it when they hit the market! Sarge Booker of Tujunga, California
Very Few Laughs
posted on 03 Jul 2009There are few funny moments in "School for Scoundrels" (2006). I am under the impression that John Hedder is being typecast in silly comedies ever since his "Napoleon Dynamite" success. This film was pretty much as bad as "The benchwarmers" I am not at all a big fan of remakes, especially films that originally stared Terry Thomas. I would appear that Hollywood has nothing better to make, so they tap into classic 40's, 50's, and 60's British comedies and remake them, like the awful "ladykillers" version with Tom Hanks. I found Ben Stiller to be mildly amusing, and Michael Clark Duncan had a couple of funny parts, but the laughs were few and far between. 4 out of 10
This movie had me laughing the entire hour and 40 minutes
posted on 29 Jun 2009i would have given it a 12 out of 10 but that wasn't an option. I got to see this move early at a theater that had the full length sneak peek. I laughed so hard i was crying at points all of the cast worked so well together. It was one of the funnest movies that i have seen all year. from the one liners to the slapstick it all had me laughing. They tied up most of the lose ends which doesn't always happen in comedy movies these days. I think what i liked best is that a lot of main plot points couldn't be foreseen. I usually watch a movie and am able to guess what happens. Not in this movie. Thiswas just a well done comedy. YAY for Hollywood this one rocked!!!!!
This movie looks funny
posted on 11 Jun 2009this movie looks funny with Ben Stiller in it and a whole cast of characters. I believe this movie will be really big in the theatres, but I guess we will see depending on what happens you know. I have always enjoyed Ben Stiller movies they have a certain originality to then. Authenticity like Adam Sandler movies, with exception to his Mystery Men movie considering that it was a complete flop. The elements in this movie look well considered and ready to please. To bring it all together in the end that makes sense I believe. I wonder about the plot whether it will be well thought out or make sense. We will have to see when you guys go and see this film.
who was that band?
posted on 05 Jun 2009Anyone know who was the band from the end to the beginning of the closing credits. Sounded like a new Led Zeppelin song. Didn't see it in the credits.-Fun film - story well thought out - based on an old film w/ the same name?Not enough repercussions with the reality of the reality of law enforcement in the story line though. Is that the story writer, or because it would have made it too dark a film? i.e. I'm sure - walking up to a airline ticket counter saying you work for the National Security Agencey needing a passenger list - nice for a sitcom I guess - but if the writer thought a little harder . . . like when Napolean stopped running & took off his shoes before running through the metal detector (nice touch!)
A film for idiots
posted on 26 May 2009I went to see this film because quite frankly I just enjoy seeing the pictures, as we used to call it. I went to see it with my friend and film producer and he definitely had a good laugh about it. Well, I wouldn't say for sure that I recommended this film because as I'm concerned it is way too typical for a person with intellect. Comedy films really suck, especially with their "breifly romantic" moods and "new and improved" cinematography. If you're looking for a break and want to go with Flemming's words that people only watch movies to relax, then check out this movie for it is filled with outrageous comedic twists, stupid comedy, and a man accidentally getting his nuts zapped. BUT if you want a darker and much more complex film that reflects on reality and makes you actually think, then pass on School for Scoundrels.
Not Bad...Annoying in Parts.
posted on 24 May 2009I just rented this movie last night. My girlfriend talked me into it. She had seen it in the theater a while back and claimed that it was really good. I gave in with little expectations. It was better than I thought it would be and it was actually pretty funny in parts. John Heder does a good job, it's probably one of his better films. Billy Bob Thornton does a good job playing the guy you want to slap. The movie did however, get kind of annoying in parts and I found myself getting a little frustrated. It felt like the movie wasn't going to come to a conclusion, but it finally came to a good ending after all of the scenes where I wanted to pull my hair out of my head. Anyways, give this one a try, you just might enjoy it.6.5/10
Good comedy
posted on 04 May 2009I'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.
nothing new
posted on 06 Apr 2009I went into this with an open mind, expecting a light comedy from familiar faces, who seemed well cast. Aside from a couple of twists on some familiar gags, I was disappointed by its general predictability, forced dialogue and flaccid performances (even by Billy Bob). I hadn't seen Heder in anything since Napoleon Dynamite; I kept my distance from the handful he's appeared in for various reasons, but was excited to see him in something new. I hope he improves as an actor, but for now I just don't think he's got the chops even for light fare like this one. Billy Bob's phoned-in performance was full of recycled lines. Todd Louiso and Luis Guzman provided the best performances of the bunch, but they certainly didn't "carry the team."Not that a comedy like this needs raunch to be funny, but when they make a decision to go for an R rating, rather than the traditional PG-13 for a movie like this, the filmmakers are sending a message that the envelope is going to be pushed--that the audience is going to see something new. There was plenty of opportunity for envelope-pushing with Thornton and Sara Silverman on hand, but the movie felt more like a PG movie adorned with a few more swear words and a couple of awkward nods to Deliverence. I honestly think this movie would have found a better audience had it been cleaned-up for a younger audience, who perhaps haven't seen a dozen other movies much like this one.
Scoundrel is synonymous with Thornton, Heder is unusual choice for a leading man
posted on 04 Apr 2009Roger (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.
Heder, get used to being type cast
posted on 23 Mar 2009Ring! ring! Operator: "1-800-4LOSERS, how may I help you?" Producer: I'm doing a movie and I need a few losers for the film.Operator: You've called the right place. What type of losers are you looking for? Producer: I don't know, who do you have?Operator: Well, we have a few available. We have Dan Fogler, star of "Balls of Fury". We have David Cross who has played a loser in too many movies to count. And... Oh yeah! We have America's hottest loser right now: Jon Heder, the guy from Napolean Dynamite, The Benchwarmers, and Blades of Glory.Producer: Great, I'll take them all.And so goes the movie. Revenge of the nerds without being as funny nor as compelling.
School is for fools, dynamite bombs
posted on 22 Mar 2009this is one steaming heap of poo, Billy Boob Thornton has sunk as low as he possibly can, and Jon Heder, just make Napoleon Dynamite Strikes Again, Napoleon Dynamite works at Burger King, Napoleon Dynamite Joins the Army and so on - stop trying to show the world your acting and comedy range, it shows in this stinker. I would feel bad taking this to a flea market and conning someone out of two bucks for this waste of film. I will have to watch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for a week to get the vision of School for Scoundrels out of my head. And calling it "Unrated" ? Why ? was it because this flick is so bad that the even the rating system didn't know what to call it?
I've already seen Anger Management
posted on 30 Aug 2009...and this was way too close to the plot of Anger Management to really enjoy. The only difference was that this was "for real" and Anger Management was a total ruse with everybody in on the plan.The only think I'd like to see from this is a movie from the storyline of Becky and Diego. I think Becky as an overbearing wife to Diego would be a freaking hoot!I wish I knew who played Eli's bride at the end...she is uncredited. She looks too much like Lindsay Lohan.I don't get why they met in the American Museum of Natural History.I would have like to have seen Dr. P get it from his wife.