John Farley (Seann William Scott) used to be an overweight kid who had low self-esteem, but years later Farley has become an increasingly successful self-help author.
As his small hometown decides to honor his achievements, his homecoming moment of glory is overshadowed when an old demon from his past has come back to haunt him by dating his mother (Susan Sarandon). Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton) seems to be the embodiment of evil in flashbacks to Farley’s youth. His borderline abusive teaching methods include stepping on his students as they perform pushups as punishment, and other acts that seem to ridicule the children more than anything else. Farley must face his past and as he attempts to break the relationship up.
Billy Bob Thornton once again plays a vulgar jerk. Mr. Woodcock; the gym teacher, causes as much suffering as possible. His very name embodies everything he stands for. Those who have seen “School for Scoundrels” are already familiar with the character of Mr. Woodcock, a detestable, overly masculine character akin to Dr. P from “Scoundrels;” preying on children instead of losers who can’t get a date. It is the same movie with a slightly more plausible plotline and equally mushy storybook ending.
Seann Williams Scott strays from the testosterone dripping characters he usually plays. In fact, his most memorable character, Stifler, from “American Pie” would most likely have been one of the bulliess who traumatized this new character in high school. Scott delivers an adequate performance, which makes the rest of the movie work. Throughout the film it is his character’s astonished outrage at the mere thought of anyone liking Woodcock that sets up audiences for its humor.
Susan Sarandon’s character is so blissfully in love with Woodcock, who she and the entire town inexplicably adore, that she fails to see that Woodcock is the manifestation of all of the torture that her son went through growing up. This is most definitely not the best work from Thornton, Scott and Sarandon.
Ethan Suplee plays Farley’s old childhood friend who was also tortured by Woodcock and gets recruited as a fellow saboteur. He takes part in the movie’s most comedic moments, one in particular where Farley gets trapped under Woodcock’s bed while he proceeds to have intercourse with Farley’s mother. You may recognize Suplee from his previous roles where he portrays overweight, less than intelligent characters.
With its exaggerated physical comedy and ridiculous nature “Mr. Woodcock” provides some big laughs, but in the end it fails to deliver a worthwhile movie. Ten dollars could easily be spent on far more rewarding things.
