SORORITY BOYS (2003)

Directed By: Wallace Wolodarsky 
Written By: Joe Jarvis & Craig Coolidge 
Cinematography By: Michael D. O’Shea 
Editor: Richard Halsey & Tod Laurenberg 
Music By: Mark Mothersbaugh 


Cast: Barry Watson, Michael Rosenbaum, Harland Williams, Melissa Sagemiller, Tony Denman, Brad Beyer, Heather Matarazzo, Kathryn Stockwood, Omar Benson Miller, Peter Scolari, Bree Turner, Wendie Jo Sperber, Stephen Furst, Mark Metcalfe, John Vernon, Vanessa Evigan, Brian Posehn 


After being falsely accused of stealing the budget for their annual cocktail cruise, three very different fraternity brothers are kicked out of their dorm. In order to clear their name and to secure their future careers, the three dress up in drag and pledge the sorority next door where they learn a few valuable - and hilarious - lessons about themselves and the female species.


I remember when this film came out it was advertised fairly regularly and looked headed to be a hit raunchy comedy, but upon it’s release seemed quickly buried. Maybe the studio realized the problem it had in it’s hand or foresaw that the tide was turning for films of this ilk.

This is a difficult film to review. Even though it shouldn't be. It's hard to decide whether this was a studios attempt to make an homage to the 1980's type of sex campus comedy or if this film was basically one of those itself. The only real difference is that the film tries to put the frat jerks in the other shoe. To show them what women have to go through. The problem is that the film Still feels exploitive and therefore misogynistic still with that message.

Leaving this film to feel like the last breed kind of movie from a studio. Watching it now feels like watching a 2000 artifact with a lot of 90's fashions and 80's mentality. Which if you are looking for something more nostalgic to the 80;s T & A movies this is the film for you. As it achieves what it aims for but as times has changed even then it also showcases some of the more misogynistic elements that those film possessed and ran on.

The film generally is low brow humor that could leave some audience members with a bad taste In Their mouths. As the film has a kind of BOSOM BUDDIES type story. Though still fills the film with plenty of nudity not necessarily sex per se.

Which gives the film an edge as to when it was coming out. It wasn't afraid to go with all the old hallmarks of college comedies. As the story is really simple and feels sitcom plot-ish. As to all the misunderstandings and coincidences.

The film bone the less comes off as sexist even as it tries to be a bit more femanist. Though in the end still feels like it judges the female characters based more on their attractiveness. It's a film where it seems like there were good intentions. Yet very misguided. It is filled with cheap laughs yet had it's moments.

The film does try a little to set itself right with Michael Rosenbaum's character who is the alpha male forced to pretend to be a girl and him being the most unattractive. Feeling how it feels to be taken for granted and treated badly for not looking like a model. As well as being sexually harassed by his mentoree while in drag. Leading to a tasteless scene where it is suggested that date rape occurs that is majorly played for laughs. Though feels controversial. Though it does offer his character a comeuppance.

It is also distracting that due to his role on SMALLVILLE which caused him to shave his head for his role as Lex Luther that for a bunch of movie roles Michael Rosenbaum had to wear wigs which are so bad that at times they are distracting. Luckily since most of the film he is In drag it goes with the circumstances.

This was partly Barry Watson big screen leading role debuts at the time he was in the show 7th HEAVEN and this feels like a test to see if he has box office stamina and leading man credentials. It also let him play less of a boys out than his television role. He comes through not necessarily memorable but does what he has to do.

This is also the type of film that in the popular DVD times. Would be sold on DVD in the regular and unrated edition separately. Usually a few weeks apart. Where the studio would get the fans to buy the regular edition. Then all of a sudden promise an unrated edition which supposedly has even more hardcore nudity and Gags that couldn't be shown. In a blatant attempt to make you double dip. Though usually the unrated edition just had some blatant nudity by some minor female character it extra for like a minute of we footage or really just put some deleted scenes and jokes back into the movie. That you could have just gotten from a deleted scene menu. This was common in juvenile teen sex comedies such as AMERICAN PIE and even this film.

I will admit that the reason I gave this movie. For of a chance is that I am a fan of director and writer (though not a screenwriter of this film) Wallace Wodorsky. I find his films usually witty and smart with a dash of low brow, but usually affecting and identifiable. This is more just a studio job it seems for him.

Grade: C+