OLD SCHOOL (2003)

Directed By: Todd Phillips  Written By: Todd Phillips & Scot Armstrong Story by: Court Crandall, Todd Phillips & Scot Armstrong Cinematography: Mark Irwin  Editor: Michael Jablow 

Cast: Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Jeremy Piven, Juliette Lewis, Ellen Pompeo, Elisha Cuthbert, Craig Kilborn, Leah Remini, Perrey Reeves, Seann William Scott, Rick Gonzalez, Simon Helberg, Matt Walsh, Artie Lange, Sara Tanaka, Patrick Fischler, Harve Presnell, Sarah Shahi, Bryan Callen, Eddie Peppitone, Jerod Mixon, Gregory Alan Williams, Rob Corddry, James Carville, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, 

Mitch, Frank and Beanie are disillusioned with their personal lives beginning when Mitch's nymphomanic girlfriend, Heidi, cheats on him, then former party animal Frank gets married, but unwilling to let go of his wild life, and Beanie is a family man seeking to reclaim his wild and crazy youth. Beanie suggests that they form their own fraternity in Mitch's new house on a college campus to re-live their glory days by bringing together a variety of misfit college students, losers, middle-aged and elderly retirees as their new friends and later try to avoid being evicted by the new Dean of Students, Pritchard, whom still holds a personal grudge against all three of them.

The film is funny and goes hard to a point, but when close to the edge it turns back at times and doesn’t go onto how funny as it seems or could have been but it ends up still funny enough.

As It seems to cheer bigger and better snd trying to make that promise but then delivers only halfway of what seemed guaranteed. 

Though it was early before more comedic films in the same vein did indeed go further and bigger. This might have been their inspiration.

The film feels more made for teens who were too young to actually get their own ticket for it and people in their early to mid twenties. Though the older one gets the more they might be able to identify with it or it’s characters a bit more.

Luke Wilson’s character is more of a reluctant lead throughout the film. He is traumatized at first but seems to embrace the party lifestyle. Then go against it. In the end he only seems to accept to help to actually help the pledges out.  Now hai reluctance can be seen as him rebounding and emotionally trying to find himself through distractions that he knows are distractions but keeps getting lured back. As it is easier on him psychologically.

Which might have worked out more if he accepted it initially full sail. See how far it went while going all in then helping the pledges at the end but also seeing his way out of the chaos his life has become.

For all the classic comedic moments and bits the movie belongs to Will Ferrell who steals all of his scenes.

This was one of the first movies where even though a supporting performance he truly lets loose comedically and not by a comedy or character of his own creations. Or concept. Showing all he needs is direction and a little freedom to let him loose.

Also it’s more his film as the film has Luke Wilson’s character trying to recover from a bad relationship but the film shows ferrell’s character trying to find himself after trying to be normal and caged in marriages which is obviously not him. his character has the biggest transformation throughout 

At first it seems like he is filling out a kind of Tom green comedian of the moment role. The same green had in ROAD TRIP as the crazy friend. But Ferrell’s character is strongly indebted to the story and with the other character. Whereas Green in the previous film seems there to do bits and appear either on his own or in a scene or two with other characters, but wasn’t really integral to the film or group of friends. 

Jeremy Piven’s character seems to let his look do more of the work as a villain. He never truly makes his presence or threats felt dangerous or truly threatening. He is also the main piece of the film that feels formulaic left over from an ANIMAL HOUSE type film. Though his character is what helps keep the film afloat as far as plot and conflict. 

Vince Vaughn here is really starting to get the hang of his more comedic on screen persona that seems to have started in the film MADE. Though the film gives him a nice character defining moment. When with a pretty young coed talking alone and about to get with her after a minor seduction. He gets cold feet and is nervous and blows it. Showing to a degree not only is he all talk, but actually loves and cares about his wife and family more than he lets on. He gets the reality of his fantasy and might just realize how good he has it.

The film doesn’t offer much for the female cast to do. Especially Leah Remini as it seems she is perfectly cast as Vince Vaughn’s wife. It seems like she will be sarcastic, no nonsense and wisecracking but to no avail as instead she is a presence and seems to be a best friend of Will Ferrell’s newlywed wife helping her get adjusted to marriage. So for her here it seems like most of the films' female casting is pretty but full of wasted opportunities. 

This film is definitely a step up from ROAD TRIP for director Todd Phillips. As this feels better and more strongly structured. It also has a stronger story where it doesn’t feel as episodic. 

GRADE: B-