Roger Dodger

Roger Swanson (Campbell Scott) scores every night, he likes to say. However, he has a breakup with his boss and lover (well, duh…) Joyce (Isabella Rossellini), and his 16-year-old nephew Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) shows up, saying that he was looking at colleges in the New York area and decided to give his favorite Uncle Roger a visit. Roger talks a mile a minute, very suave like, and decides to take Nick out on the town in search of sex, which, he claims, is `everywhere'. A fine, inventive movie, with good acting by the leads. Not many movies would dare to go out on a limb, and this isn't a Hollywood movie (it's distributed by Artisan), but those who have seen it have enjoyed it. Its script, by director Dylan Kidd, is often funny, and could go as Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex but Were Afraid to Ask Part 2, since Nick is basically naïve and oblivious. However, the script leads into the first problem I would like to talk about. Although funny at many times, during the many lulls, the drama, which is supposed to ensue, doesn't ensue. I didn't feel touched or sympathetic or anything during the `dramatic' sequences, especially during the end, but at least it goes back to comedy, with the fate of Roger and Nick. The script has many laugh-out-loud moments, however. I love the first scene, where Roger is talking to Joyce, Donovan (Ben Shenkman), and Donna (Mina Badie) at the restaurant, and he's going on all about Darwin and evolution, and the eventual fate of the genders. This is a good introduction to Roger: lots of talk, but he can't back it up, and you can tell he has now idea what in the world he is actually saying. Scott won a few awards for his performance in Roger Dodger, which I can understand. He totally got into his role, and at times it didn't seem like he was acting, everything was coming naturally to him. An example of that is when he's talking to Nick about different ways to look at women (which is about a 10 minute take), he just keeps on talking and talking like it wasn't scripted. I could almost hear the director laughing in the background. I hope that this bounces his career more, because he is a great actor. Eisenberg was also very good as the nervous teen, he also seemed to know what he was doing. Another point I really liked was the music. It was crystalline, and it sounded solid, which is probably symbolism for Roger: he thinks he's solid with the women, but he really has as much to learn as the student. He thinks that he knows everything that's there, but he doesn't really, and he figures that out throughout the movie. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, so here I go: if you're a feminist or against sexism, this isn't really your movie. Roger's view of women won't appeal to those, but he does talk about that the female sex will eventually rule the earth and men will be their slave (aren't they already?). If you don't mind, though, it's a very good movie that may not deserve all of the acclaim it's getting but is still better than most of the Hollywood drek that's out now. My rating: 7/10 Rated R for sexuality and language.

Roger Dodger-1080P

Roger Dodger-360P

Roger Dodger-720P

Roger Dodger-480P

I have to add another thing about "Roger Dodger": the movie is really great but one of the best things is the wonderful music score by Craig Wedren: intense, simply, effective, impressive. It seems to be on a dreaming atmosphere, listening soft and involving sounds. I really hope it will be out on CD. It deserve to be listen by everyone.

I enjoyed watching this film (I watched it last night). I was able to observe men in their so-called "skirt chase." Despite the catchy phrases and corny pick-up lines, it was sad to see the true essence of Roger. For those who didn't like it, this film just wasn't your cup of tea. This film was shown the way people see things: sometimes, clear as a bell, sometimes blurry (like life!) After watching this film, I will be searching for this director's work in the DVD rental stores :) Rating: 8 out of 10 (only because I didn't agree with some parts of the film, but you need to watch it for yourself. I won't tell you anything more than what I have written in the first paragraph).

That was the Jennifer Beals from Flash Dance? She is still really good-looking and sexy! As for the film, it was very good. I found myself smiling in many situations, as I recognized the realism in much of the dialog. I Could not believe how much of it was exactly what I had thought back in the 80's when I was "clubbing"! Very realistic moments, whether you like it or not! Many of the lines were just the way it is with most men and the way it was with us back then. It was a very enjoyable movie for its realism. I applaud the writer. I can't say Campbell Scott was the best actor. His part could have been slightly better portrayed. But the script itself was done very well.

Probably a look-see into the writer's mind about how his own views are. Alot of what is talked about is SO very true. Intellectually brilliant conversation. Who needs action when the weight of the words carries the movie. Not an Liz Berkley fan, but she was actually decent in this movie. A new start? heh A great look into man's ego.

I wouldn't have thought from previews that "Roger Dodger" would have an ounce of romance in it, but it does. The scene between Elizabeth Berkeley, Jennifer Beals (both very good by the way--who would have thought?) and Roger's nephew is incredibly sweet and touching, but without being overly sentimental or cloying. Campbell Scott gives a fabulous performance as Roger, illustrating how broad his acting range is. My only complaint with the movie is its incredibly annoying cinematography. All of the compositions are cluttered and claustrophobic, sometimes so much so that the main focus of the shot is entirely obscured. And this trend toward hand-held cameras needs to be stopped. I think directors feel that hand-held cinematography lends a gritty, realistic point of view to their films, but more frequently it serves only to distract. But a fairly minor quibble about an otherwise very good film. Grade: A-