2008 Woodie Awards
Reviewed: Mr. Woodcock
Sean Flack
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: A&E
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During the first five minutes of Craig Gillespie's film "Mr. Woodcock," viewers see a familiar side of Billy Bob Thornton as he makes one of his students run laps around the gym. The kid is obviously not having a good time and wondering when this torture is going to be over. Little did I know I would be sharing the same feelings as that kid for the next 87 minutes.
"Mr.Woodcock" is another "guy isn't satisfied with Mom's new catch" plot plucked straight from the cliché bucket. Seann William Scott plays John Farley, a former fat kid who turned his life around to become a best-selling author of a self-help book. After finding out that he has received a local honor in his hometown, Farley comes back to his old stomping grounds to find out his mother (Susan Sarandon) has been dating his old gym teacher, Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton), a man who made Farley's life a living hell during school.
Although he has played the jerk role well in the past, Thornton's role in this movie seems forced.
Outraged, Farley pairs up with an old friend (Ethan Suplee) and the pair try to expose Woodcock as the evil, heartless man that he is. Hilarity does not ensue as the jokes start getting old and the plot drags out more and more.
It really boggles the mind that a man who once hit little elementary students in the nether-regions with a wiffleball bat would win Educator of the Year, as Mr. Woodcock did.
"Mr.Woodcock" is just not that great of a comedy. It's just one of those movies where nothing really stands out and it makes one regret paying $8.25 to go see. I suppose if you find the title "Mr. Woodcock" funny in itself, you might enjoy this movie. For anyone else though, I would take John Farley's advice and stay clear from "Mr.Woodcock."
"Mr.Woodcock" is another "guy isn't satisfied with Mom's new catch" plot plucked straight from the cliché bucket. Seann William Scott plays John Farley, a former fat kid who turned his life around to become a best-selling author of a self-help book. After finding out that he has received a local honor in his hometown, Farley comes back to his old stomping grounds to find out his mother (Susan Sarandon) has been dating his old gym teacher, Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton), a man who made Farley's life a living hell during school.
Although he has played the jerk role well in the past, Thornton's role in this movie seems forced.
Outraged, Farley pairs up with an old friend (Ethan Suplee) and the pair try to expose Woodcock as the evil, heartless man that he is. Hilarity does not ensue as the jokes start getting old and the plot drags out more and more.
It really boggles the mind that a man who once hit little elementary students in the nether-regions with a wiffleball bat would win Educator of the Year, as Mr. Woodcock did.
"Mr.Woodcock" is just not that great of a comedy. It's just one of those movies where nothing really stands out and it makes one regret paying $8.25 to go see. I suppose if you find the title "Mr. Woodcock" funny in itself, you might enjoy this movie. For anyone else though, I would take John Farley's advice and stay clear from "Mr.Woodcock."
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