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Roger Dodger [2003]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £3.50 (subject to change)

Shame they forgot about the plot.
Review date: 2008-06-08 Rating: 4 out of 10

A teenager goes to his uncle for help in learning how to seduce women. It's just a shame that the makers of this film forgot about a plot and made the uncle's character a bit of an idiot. I was glad when this film ended. A tedious way to spend 100 minutes. You have been warned.

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Reviews


Not Ducking the Issue
Review date: 2008-03-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

Roger's young nephew turns up unexpectedly, asking for a lesson in how to seduce women. However, Roger's legendary approach is starting to run into problems, as his mordant cynicism and 'objectivity' begin to take a toll. The two of them embark on a journey through the night. There are lessons for both of them. Is life all about sex? The film shows glimpses of a more holistic, holy approach. There's plenty in this film that is unpleasant, but the lessons that can be drawn are valuable. It could be a great basis for a church youth group discussion.

Don't Dodge it. See it!
Review date: 2008-03-21 Rating: 10 out of 10

Insightful, harsh, honest, authentic and consistently engaging on a personal level, "Roger Dodger" is the best American Independent film of 2002. It begins with a monologue from a phenomenally good Campbell Scott who invests his character of Roger with a bitter twist and intelligent misogyny. He is a chain smoking, hard drinking, fast talking ladies man who lacks sensitivity and focuses on deconstructing other people as a hobby. At the start he talks of the male species inevitable extinction as if it were set in stone, immediately alerting us to the fact that he has much unresolved issues and indifference towards the female gender. This story is about his reconciliation with his monstrous male side, and the young, naïve Jesse Eisenberg's awakening of maturity and understanding.

If you have not seen this film, do not even pause to consider buying it. The conversational interludes are so expertly written and performed with such needle point accuracy the film takes on its own life. This is as real a character piece you are ever likely to come by. The characters are all recognisable, as are the situations, and the magnificent mini-cast are all exemplary. Scott of course owns the film having the best lines and the most delicious delivery, yet a brilliant Eisenberg provides the innocent naivety that balances Roger's presumptuous nature creating an informative and compelling double-act. Their playing off of each other injects energy into every scene - you want to follow their short lived journey all the way to the finish line. Former Showgirl Elizabeth Berkley redeems herself by immediately bringing a sense of backstory to her attractive, intelligent young woman out for a night of fun, while Jennifer Beals nails the role of her accompanying friend with a personal and familiar quality. They are entirely believable as girls on a night out who stumble into the cross hairs of the manoeuvring Roger and his tentative protégé. Isabella Rossellini plays Roger's boss and rejecting lover, adding that extra shading and depth to the character driven plot. And this is entirely about character. More so than most films.

This is about relationships. Sexual partnerships, blood relations, friendships, work colleagues and how they figure into everyday life. But most of all it's all about sex. Sex is the word on everyone's lips and the dissection of male/female relations are intelligently poised and agreeably summarised. However, do not be fooled by this context of sex, it is merely a catalyst for the self-realisation and discovery that this journey takes us to. This ain't no low-budget "American Pie." God forbid. The astute musings of Roger and the beguiling clumsiness of his nephew Nick make for such a terrific odd-coupling that they symbolize the very nature of polar opposites thrown together for one leisurely paced 24 hour day. The point is that they both have lessons to learn, and hopefully comprehend the answers they seek, particularly for Roger, who is abundantly unaware that he seeks anything other than sexual fulfilment. "Roger Dodger" contains some of the most well crafted observational detail with a strong grasp of authentic arena, provoking cringes and laughs on more than a few occasions. The behaviour is identifiable, the quirks recognizable and the situations completely believable. It's sexy without being smutty, and upfront without being gratuitous. However, when it does need to get ugly it does not flinch in giving us the hard stuff. The sheer wealth of detail and nuance in the performances suggest fascinating backgrounds for all of the main characters that you can untangle and get a real sense of where they have been and what they have been through. A real masterclass in acting can be found in the scene in the park over a shared bottle of wine.

First time writer/director Dylan Kidd proves his worth as a fine talent to watch closely in future. This is sensitive, observant and above all mature filmmaking that could only be made thanks to the existence of independent cinema. The humour is sharp, the dialogue witty and the honesty on show is remarkably palpable in every way. There are no weak links in the story that I can see, and coupled with a surprisingly upbeat resolution I cannot reccomend this movie more without putting a gun to your head and forcing you to sit through it. A minor masterpiece you must see for yourselves, and remember not to blow Roger's cover - because sex is EVERYWHERE!!!

If you're unsure about buying this film, don't be.....
Review date: 2007-03-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

Sadly, this isn't the biggest and most well known film out there. If you've somehow come across it now, be glad that you did. It is a brilliant character-driven film with crisp, flowing dialogue that's so good you laugh and shake your head when you hear it. The verbal sparring between the characters is of a similar quality to something like `The West Wing'. Except in this film, there is no discussion about important global issues ... all the talk here is about sex and picking up a member of the opposite sex in a bar.

Campbell Scott (Roger) has a great time with a great script. He gives some wonderful speeches about what goes on in the battleground of every pub and club during a Friday and Saturday night. Until now, all those home truths about the eternal struggle of going on the "pull" had never really been articulated.

As Roger tells Nick - his 16-year-old Nephew - how to meet women like a player on a Friday night in New York, everything is laid bare. All the things you are meant to know, but no one ever told you. They are explained clearly and, in a way, the film even becomes a self-help, instruction video for single people who struggle to approach strangers.

To "reduce" the film down to this, however, would be wrong. As Nick comes to realise, Roger is a tragic, bitter character - a one-dimensional person who, despite his silver tongue and his many, many years of experience, doesn't do half as well as his underage, sensitive nephew on his first night on the town. Moreover, Roger may or may not have strong (unreciprocated) feelings for his female boss, but he can never admit them because he has to wear the guise of a live fast, too-many-lovers-to-remember kinda guy.

The only slight criticism of the film would be the camerawork. Occasionally, the characters are obscured by passer-bys in the street or vehicles on the road, although this is obviously deliberate. The audience is assuming the role of an unseen observer to Roger and Nick, but with such rare, high quality dialogue and acting on show, it would be nice if it was front and centre and not partially hidden. Nevertheless, this is only a very, very minor complaint about a film that is five stars through and through.


It made me laugh, a very good film
Review date: 2004-05-28 Rating: 8 out of 10

And yes the forth star also inculdes the extras on the disc this film is the sort of smart, Manhattan-set sex comedy Woody Allen would be making if he wasn't a wash up. Roger Dodger is unashsmedly talk, but fast-moving and suprising so suprising that I cant tell you the plot in fear of spoiling it.
The extras include a choice of commentaries and stacks of behind-the-scene info

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Isabella Rossellini
Jesse Eisenberg
Campbell Scott
Jennifer Beals
Elizabeth Berkley

Creators:
Campbell Scott (Primary Contributor)
Campbell Scott (Producer)
Jesse Eisenberg (Primary Contributor)
Dylan Kidd (Producer)
Dylan Kidd (Writer)
Anne Chaisson (Producer)
Bruce Cowen (Producer)
David Newman (Producer)
George VanBuskirk (Producer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060034570950
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-05-31
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: German (Original Language)

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