Stealing Harvard

Been reading some of the other reviews of this movie, and I'm not sure what these other people were looking for, but this is supposed to be a screwball comedy, not anything more.

The majority of the bad comments had one element in common: they hate Tom Green. Well I can't change their mind about Tom Green, but Tom Green doesn't really play a big role in this movie -- at best he's a major supporting role. Make no mistake, Jason Lee really is the one carrying this movie, so if you detest Tom Green, don't worry. And Tom Green really is quite understated in this movie compared to how lunatic he really can get.

One storyline they could've expanded on were Megan Mullally, playing Jason Lee's slutty older sister, and Leslie Mann, playing Lee's uptight fiance. These two had detest each other dynamic going which would've been fun to watch if they interacted with each other more.

So for all of those recommending that you give this movie a pass, I say ignore them. Just come with the right frame of mind, this is not a supposed to be Shakespeare, just check your brain at the door, and enjoy.

Okay, okay. Bad premise, bad script. Otherwise, this is a good film played for laughs. Jason Lee, Tom Green and Megan Mullally are all on fine form, playing the characters we have come to expect from them.

In particular, Jason Lee is his typical self here, playing the slightly angry yet humorous good guy. For some, Tom Green may be too wacky, but his character, Duff, is like a toned-down version of himself, so it will surely prove bearable for his naysayers.

Some really good comedy moments and a few nice set pieces are enough to make up for an otherwise silly and clichéd film. Definitely worth a watch, I found it really enjoyable in a switched-off-brain sort of way.

Its a good movie to watch if you want a good laugh. It isn't anything to take seriously. Its about a man who is going to marry a pretty young lady who is his boss's daughter. She was brought up by her rich overly protective father. It seems he held her back and; therefore, she did not have that many friends. The relationship with her father was a little weird but it was supposed to be funny. When his girlfiend gives him good news, that they've saved enough money to buy a house, everything seems to be going perfect. Its a great way to start the movie. When he finds out that he is expected to pay his nieces college tuition, this is where the excitement starts. "How does he get the money?" The way in which he trys to get the money is goofy but funny. Its funny to see how he tries to steel money and never fails each time. It puts on the excitement when his girl friend knows he is up to something and thinks he is cheating on her. I bought the tape cause it was a cheap price and I enjoyed the movie. I don't watch it all the time but I do enjoy it when I do.

John Plummer is engaged to Elaine, who makes baskets for special occasions. John works for Elaine's father at Homespital, a medical supply company. John and Elaine finally have saved $30,000, enough money to buy a house.

But there is a problem. Years ago, John made a promise to his niece Noreen, whose mother Patty is considered "trailer trash" (the term is used in the movie), and whose father is unknown. Noreen was eliminated early in a spelling bee, and John told her she wasn't dumb. In fact, he said he would pay for Noreen's college education. And the promise is preserved on videotape.

Surprise! Noreen has been accepted to Harvard. And she is getting financial aid and she has saved money from her job handling cattle carcasses. So she only needs ... guess how much? John can't tell Elaine they can't buy a house. And her father doesn't respect him as it is. So John turns to his friend Duff, a landscaper who still lives with his mother. John has some ideas, but they generally involve breaking the law. For example, Duff's Uncle Jack runs a liquor store and has lots of money collected from selling lottery tickets, guarded by a clerk who supposedly offers no threat from anyone wanting to steal it.

And David Loach was a former classmate and a loser, but he seems to have money to lend, and a bunch of goons to make sure he is repaid. Where does he get his money? Well, you'll find out ONE way ...

And Duff's client who won't lock his safe (what was his landscaper doing INSIDE the house?) and who misses his late wife. This is good for some of the raunchiest but also funniest gags in the whole movie.

I think a lot of people will consider Tom Green and John McGinley to be the standout performers in this movie. I don't like either of them, but they both do quite a good job. So does Dennis Farina.

Elaine is not a pleasant character for the most part, but when she gets excited, she's really quirky. Plus she's pretty. John is normal, and I wouldn't have even recognized Jason Lee without the mustache he had in a flashback. He's just mostly there, and not that much like Earl Hickey. Earl is a loser who had to turn to crime when he didn't have a job, and ... wait a minute. But, wait, see, John Plummer has a job, and he doesn't NEED to commit crimes.

The important thing is that Green and Lee are often hilarious together, a couple of bumbling idiots.

"Will and Grace" fans need not watch for Megan Mullally, because Patty is nothing like Karen. They might still like her and the movie for other reasons. Actually, I can think of one big reason ...

There is one tender scene related to the fact that Patty and John lost their parents when John was 18. The movie opens with scenes from that time in John's life, and the funeral scene makes more sense after the scene with the two of them later.

Martin Starr is really funny as the liquor store clerk who was more savvy than our heroes may have expected.

It could have been better, but I was mostly happy. Where this is funny, it's really funny. And you must be able to handle crude humor.

One more thing: I usually stay around until the credits end because I often like to see what songs were used. In this movie, you absolutely must watch until the very end for the outtakes. Some of them are hilarious.

This movie wasn't one of the funniest I've ever seen or anything, but I don't think it's as bad as everyone is claiming. There were a handful of times when I laughed out loud. Many people I know complained about Tom Green - he's just the type of guy you either love, or really hate... doesn't mean he's a talentless goon. It's hard for me to picture Lee in a film not directed by Kevin Smith, it seems like he's not comfortable in anything else. Maybe I just perceive it wrong. But I'd only recommend this to a fan of somebody in the movie.