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SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS (12A)

21-02-2007

Remember that classic Ealing comedy of the same name starring Ian Carmichael, Alastair Sim and Terry Thomas? Now the Yanks have re-made it in modern day New York with, among others, Billy Bob Thornton. Dionne McCarthy is too young to remember the original, so we sent her to cast an unjaundiced eye over the new one.

Roger (played by John Heder of “Napoleon Dynamite” fame) is a New York parking warden or “meter maid”. Forced to wear shorts and drive what looks like a golf buggy around Harlem issuing tickets, he inevitably becomes the target of bullies and ridicule.

His private life isn't any more successful. He spends most of his time yearning for his beautiful neighbour Amanda (Jacinda Barrett) and thinking of ways to start conversations with her.

All in all, a he's typical small-time loser, until his friend Ian gives him a phone number and tells him to ringit if he ever wants to get a life. When Roger calls, he finds himself enrolled into a mysterious course for the socially inept taught by the suave and sadistic “Dr. P” (Billy Bob Thornton).

Dr P has a twisted approach to toughening up girlie men, which involves a series of flashcards with instructions on how to lie to and manipulate women, as well as other peculiar techniques meant to boost the self-esteem of his students.

Following the Dr P mantra, lie, lie and lie some more, Roger's life begins to turn around and he even manages to land a date - somewhat unbelievably - with his dream girl. But as he becomes successful, he sparks Dr P's fiercely competitive side and his mentor becomes his nemesis as he goes about dismantling Roger's life.

Showing the same nerdy and awkward lack of confidence that made him an unlikely hero in "Napoleon Dynamite", Heder is also the perfect leading manhere.

Billy Bob Thorton acts the comedy villain brilliantly and the chemistry between the two echoes that of Michael Caine and Steve Martin in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (although School For Scoundrels replaces a more sophisticated wit with slapstick).

Michael Clarke Duncan of the Green Mile stars as Dr P's sidekick, adding muscle to the duo and contributing some very funny scenes of brain versus brawn - the brain not always prevailing!

There are inconsistencies - at times it feels a little too contrived, and the late, unnecessary introduction of Ben Stiller as Dr P's deranged former pupil, felt like an effort to introduce a big name and only manages to add to a disjointed and rushed ending.

On the whole though this is an easy-going, funny, heart -warming comedy of geek to hero where the unlikely nerd manages to get the girl and kill the baddy!

School for Scoundrels hits our screens on Friday 23rd Feb and kids and adults should get a kick out of this oddball comedy.