Mr. Woodcock Movie Review
Thornton Brings on the Laughs as a Teacher Without a Conscience
Did you ever have a teacher, coach, or other authority figure whose cruel comments made your life miserable? Rhetorical question! Of course, you have.
In this case, John Farley (Seann William Scott), a successful self-help author who has overcome obesity and low self-esteem, takes a break from his book tour to return to his small hometown in Nebraska to receive its highest honor: The Corn Cob Key to the City. Upon his return, he learns that his widowed mother (Susan Sarandon) is in love with his old gym teacher and nemesis, Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton), the man who publicly humiliated John as a boy.
Billy Bob Thornton as a Sadistic Gym Teacher
During his stay, John revisits Forest Meadow Middle School (the scene of Woodcock’s many emotional crimes against children) and sees that the snarling gym teacher still embraces rudeness, crudeness, and condescension as prime teaching techniques. He becomes even more discouraged to learn that Woodcock will be receiving an Educator of the Year award at the same ceremony that will be honoring John. Even worse, his mother announces their wedding engagement.
Enlisting the aid of Nedderman (Ethan Suplee), another former student tortured by the sadistic coach, John sets out to break up the happy pair through underhanded means that are definitely not endorsed in his “Letting Go: How to Get Past Your Past” book. In fact, his motto that digging up the past muddies up the present sets the stage for a multitude of figurative mudslinging at his old enemy/new rival for his mother’s love. This conflict produces an escalating series of competitions between the two men, ranging from mildly amusing to hilarious.
Thornton embodies Woodcock flawlessly, eliciting most of the big laughs in Mr. Woodcock, while Scott delivers a broadly comical performance, and Sarandon is alternately the sexy older woman and the sadly sweet Corn Cob Queen of 1970. Amy Poehler comes on strong as John’s manic, alcoholic-driven publicist. She’s almost like the Woodcock of the publishing world, ridiculing her clients from small towns, ignoring their personal requests, and using intimidation to get what she wants from people.
Good for a Laugh
There’s situational comedy, physical comedy, and lots of word play (with a title like Woodcock, what would you expect?) Like any good comedy, the laughs are consistent and you don’t have to wait too long for the next chuckle. There’s also character development and some growth here, but the storyline is somewhat limited. At just under 90 minutes, you should enjoy a few good laughs before the whistle blows and the game is over.
- Mr. Woodcock
- Director: Craig Gillespie
- Run time: 87 minutes
- Rating: PG-13 (some crudeness and sexuality)
To learn more about comedy films, read Braff and Bateman in the Ex and Good Luck Chuck Movie Review.
