In the hope of winning the woman of his dreams, Amanda, lovelorn meter-reader Roger Wadell enrolls in a secret confidence-building class. The course's title takes on much more meaning when he discovers that his egomaniacal professor Dr. P also wants the same woman. They begin a fierce rivalry that quickly spirals out of control, their pranks and insults get uglier as they try to prove who is the ultimate guy's guy.
It's the stuff of simple comedy, but as frat-flicks go it's a return to form for director Todd Phillips.
– Anna Smith,
Time Out,
22 Feb 2007
fresh:
Things get increasingly dopey in the final act, leading to an incredibly stupid ending, but I have to admit I laughed just enough to recommend School for Scoundrels.
– Richard Roeper,
Ebert & Roeper,
2 Oct 2006
rotten:
It feels as if director Phillips was scrounging desperately for morsels with comic potential and came up empty-handed.
– Claudia Puig,
USA Today,
29 Sep 2006
rotten:
School for Scoundrels is an exercise in advanced comedic embalming.
– Geoff Pevere,
Toronto Star,
29 Sep 2006
fresh:
While the film is demeaned by sight gags aimed at teenage boys, it has a smart center and delightful performances from Heder and Thornton.