Themes: Feuds, Love Triangles, Teachers and Students
Main Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Heder, Jacinda Barrett, Michael Clarke Duncan, Luis Guzman
Release Year: 2006
Country: US
Run Time: 101 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Old School director Todd Phillips takes the reins for an updated remake of the 1960 comedy, this time starring Napoleon Dynamite's Jon Heder as Roger, a lovelorn meter reader who enrolls in a confidence-building class in order to win the love of his dream girl, and Billy Bob Thornton as Dr. P, the scheming, egomaniacal teacher who has designs of his own for the attractive young female. The rivalry soon spins out of control, as pranks and insults fly fast and furiously in a battle to determine the ultimate "guy's guy." ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
The plot mirrors that of the original film. Roger (Jon Heder) is a put-upon loser in society - subject to ridicule from co-workers and more - who dreams of dating the foreign graduate student who lives in his building, Amanda (Jacinda Barrett). To overcome his lack of self-esteem, he signs up for a course taught by Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton). While participating, Roger begins to develop a sense of personal pride. Wanting to prove that he's still got his edge, Dr. P starts competing with Roger for Amanda. After a competitive tennis match in which Roger humiliates him, Dr. P enlists the talents of Roger's classmates to frame Roger as an obsessive stalker. Roger uses his authority as a meter reader to impound Dr. P's car, and in retaliation Dr. P gets Roger fired from his job. Roger learns of Dr. P's plans for Amanda from a depressed former student (Stiller) and with the aid of fellow classmates, he sets out to save Amanda and prove Dr. P's duplicity.
The character of Dr. P is an homage to the headmaster of the fictional Yeovil College of Lifemanship, Stephen Potter, in the original 1960 film. The Lifemanship books on which both films are based were written by the real Stephen Potter.
Both films feature a tennis game between love rivals as a set-piece.
