The film Text copyright (c) Filmverdict 2006-present. Any film titles and artwork used are copyright of their respective owners.
The trailer for Mr. Woodcock has been played ad nauseum for months now, which is slightly odd for what amounts to a relatively minor release. The film stars Billy Bob Thornton, reprising his School For Scoundrels drill instructor-cum-teacher character, and the likeable Seann William Scott as the one-time fat kid who's grown up and made a success of himself. Scott has been somewhat typecast as Stifler ever since he stole every scene in the American Pie films, and whereas that may have had a slightly adverse effect on his career it's a reflection of how great he was in that role. Now he seems to be slightly shaking off the Pie-shackles with Richard Kelly's long-delayed Southland Tales finally getting an imminent release and Mr. Woodcock, while still a teen-friendly comedy, giving him a somewhat different character to play with than the coarse, juvenile and sex-obsessed Stifler.
Restraint, though, is partly Mr. Woodcock's problem; although always threatening to trigger hearty laughs, it never quite does. There are no big comedic set-pieces that are hugely original or hilarious, and the rate of gags is infuriatingly sluggish. It's particularly unfortunate because the premise is a pretty good one. Scott plays John Farley, who in his younger, chubbier days was tormented at school by his P.E. teacher, Mr. Woodcock (Thornton). As an adult, he writes a book called Letting Go, about how to release painful memories. It's a big hit and a bestseller, making Farley moderately famous. He learns that due to his success he's been chosen to receive the Corn Cob Key, the biggest honour that his hometown in rural Nebraska bestows. On his arrival home however, he discovers his worst nightmare: that Mr. Woodcock is now going out with his mother (Susan Sarandon), and soon after that they become engaged.
The one-upmanship between Thornton and Scott is quite entertaining, but never reaches the heights that it threatens to (the funniest scene is in the trailer, when Farley is 'mistaken' for a burglar in the family home and Woodcock beats him repeatedly with a baseball bat). The supporting cast is also appealing, with Amy Poehler an effective bitchy manager and My Name is Earl's Ethan Suplee taking the part of a slightly dim but loyal old school friend of Farley. The film could do with a few more wacky characters just to make it slightly distinctive, but it completely lacks anything that will lodge itself in the memory. It's an inoffensive and mildly amusing 87 minutes, but anticipate any more than that and it's bound to disappoint.
The summary
Mr. Woodcock is resoundingly average fare. There's limited fun to be had but nothing that remotely demands being seen.
Agree? Disagree? Say so in the Guestbook!