2008 Woodie Awards
'Mr. Woodcock' lacks humor in plot lines
Two Stars
Carolyn Strauss
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 9/20/07 at 9:13 PM EST
Last update: 9/20/07 at 9:19 PM EST
- Page 1 of 2 next >
With movies such as "Superbad", "The Simpsons Movie" and "Knocked Up," comedy has been making a comeback in 2007.
The traditional PG-13 comedy movies starring old-fashioned actors and used-up humor have faded from the big screen.
"Mr. Woodcock", however, breaks the chain of unique, hilarious and successful comedy movies.
The biggest downfall of the movie is the plot itself. Lacking substance and ingenuity, "Mr. Woodcock" was a mass of dull jokes and predictable scenes.
The beginning scenes of the movie introduce Seann William Scott's character, John Farley. Farley, a famous self-help author and motivational speaker, makes a trip home from the bright lights of his book tour to his middle-of-nowhere hometown.
When Farley discovers his mother is dating his hated childhood gym teacher he begins to question the truthfulness of his own book, which focuses on forgetting the past in order to move toward a better future.
Farley, who was tortured by Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton) throughout his years in physical education, takes it upon himself to break up his mother's relationship and reclaim her complete attention.
Farley recruits an old friend and classmate to expose the unethical and immoral teaching practices of Woodcock and ruin his reputation for good.
Traditional male rivalries followed, leading to a few scattered snickers throughout the audience.
Scott, Thornton and Susan Sarandon, who played Beverly Farley, provided the movie with veteran actors.
Their talent - however - was overwhelmed by the lack of an interesting plot.
Their experience was obvious. Their talent, however, went mostly unnoticed.
Thornton portrays Woodcock as a hard-hitting, line-crossing, egotistical character.
His below the belt comments and crude sarcasm provided the majority of the attempted humor.
Scott also added to the effort with his childish antics and frantic need to destroy Woodcock.
From the frequent flashbacks of his days as the overweight boy in gym class to his celebratory dance after beating Woodcock at a corn cob eating contest Farley rides an emotional rollercoaster and brings the rest of the cast along with him.
The traditional PG-13 comedy movies starring old-fashioned actors and used-up humor have faded from the big screen.
"Mr. Woodcock", however, breaks the chain of unique, hilarious and successful comedy movies.
The biggest downfall of the movie is the plot itself. Lacking substance and ingenuity, "Mr. Woodcock" was a mass of dull jokes and predictable scenes.
The beginning scenes of the movie introduce Seann William Scott's character, John Farley. Farley, a famous self-help author and motivational speaker, makes a trip home from the bright lights of his book tour to his middle-of-nowhere hometown.
When Farley discovers his mother is dating his hated childhood gym teacher he begins to question the truthfulness of his own book, which focuses on forgetting the past in order to move toward a better future.
Farley, who was tortured by Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton) throughout his years in physical education, takes it upon himself to break up his mother's relationship and reclaim her complete attention.
Farley recruits an old friend and classmate to expose the unethical and immoral teaching practices of Woodcock and ruin his reputation for good.
Traditional male rivalries followed, leading to a few scattered snickers throughout the audience.
Scott, Thornton and Susan Sarandon, who played Beverly Farley, provided the movie with veteran actors.
Their talent - however - was overwhelmed by the lack of an interesting plot.
Their experience was obvious. Their talent, however, went mostly unnoticed.
Thornton portrays Woodcock as a hard-hitting, line-crossing, egotistical character.
His below the belt comments and crude sarcasm provided the majority of the attempted humor.
Scott also added to the effort with his childish antics and frantic need to destroy Woodcock.
From the frequent flashbacks of his days as the overweight boy in gym class to his celebratory dance after beating Woodcock at a corn cob eating contest Farley rides an emotional rollercoaster and brings the rest of the cast along with him.
Be the first to comment on this story