Stealing Harvard

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.

The plot is as simple as the film itself: John (Jason Lee) once made a promise to his niece that if she ever got accepted to college, he would pay her way. When the time arrives, he finds himself broke, and resorts to asking his loser buddy, Duff (Tom Green), for help. Clichés and hi-jinks ensue.

The film is surprisingly sterilized, especially when you consider its two stars: Jason Lee, a Kevin Smith alum, and Tom Green, the gross-out king who wrote, directed and starred in "Freddy Got Fingered." Lee is likable and congenial, if a bit soft, while Green relies more on physical humor and less on substance. He utters a few humorous lines here and there, but he is, in essence, just a prop. There are several other talented comedic actors such as Leslie Mann ("Big Daddy"), Megan Mullally (TV's "Will & Grace"), John C. McGinley (TV's "Scrubs") and of course, the amazing Martin Starr (TV's "Freaks & Geeks") who help keep the film fresh and funny, but unfortunately there's just not enough of them. The film is stacked with great and hilarious actors, but rarely takes advantage of this fact. As far as the humor goes, it forgoes the gross-out comedy of the time in an effort to yield rather tame and inoffensive results. And in its brief 82 minutes, it works. "Stealing Harvard" is hardly a classic, but if one were to sit down on a dead Sunday afternoon, kick back and relax with few expectations, it works. You'll likely get a few solid chuckles out of it, and it's innocent and simplistic plot makes for a good "turning off the brain" time.

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.

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.

First off, this movie SHOULD have been great. Bruce McCulloch directing? Yeah! And the cast is comedy gold: Jason Lee, Tom Green, Leslie Mann, Dennis Farina, John C. McGinley, Megan Mullally... I mean, even the women are funny! The only thing that's really lacking is, sadly, the script.

Everyone is funny, they just don't have enough to work with. The characters are 2D, the plot paper thin, and everything is just too convenient. Now I didn't expect anything weighty or life changing. Just something worth caring about.

Don't get me wrong, the movie IS funny. Tom Green is great, providing some hilarious moments (Drinking milk and then suddenly pouring lemon juice in his mouth, for instance.) For the most part though, the humor relies entirely on his performance, not the strength of the writing. Also, Jason Lee is cast here as the Straight, the regular guy just trying to get his life in order. Personally, I much prefer him as the goofy sidekick type (i.e. Tom Green).

All in all, this makes for a palatable little episodic comedy. But there's not enough to sink your teeth into. You can't get involved enough to really let go and laugh.