Fridae

No, Mr Woodcock is not the title of a dirty gay movie. We wished, but well�

Mr Woodcock is a funny mainstream comedy that stars Billy Bob Thornton as the titular Woodcock, the most feared high-school gym teacher in America. He would not think twice about hurling insults at senior citizens or throwing basketballs at little kids.

One of his victims is a short plump kid whom he repeatedly terrorized throughout high school. Years later, the short plump kid grows up, moves away and becomes a happy and attractive bestselling author (Seann William Scott). His latest self-help book is Letting Go which, as its title suggests, is about letting go of your past and bettering your life.

But when Seann goes back to his hometown to visit his single mother, he finds his worst nightmare's come true: His mother (Susan Sarandon) is in love with Woodcock and about to marry him. Not only that, Woodcock is apparently so popular now, he even has a local pizza recipe named after him and is being honoured as Educator of the Year!

How can this be? Undaunted, Seann decides to make it his mission to break off their engagement at all costs � sabotaging Woodcock however he could and exposing the man for the mean-spirited bastard that he was or is�

Directed by Craig Gillespie, Mr Woodcock delivers the laughs in a standard, good old-fashioned manner. Billy Bob Thornton is indeed very good. He is humorously stone-faced throughout much of the action � even after he's just did something naughty with Susan Sarandon.

Sean William Scott is surprising affable and sympathetic � a nice departure from the rowdy rascal he plays in American Pie. But even so, he's not good enough to stop Billy Bob from stealing most of the scenes right under his nose.

All in all, a nice little diversion to please mainstream moviegoers.