Roger Dodger DVD: Review By kerouac1

Every once and a while, a writer/director with a razor sharp wit, and a knack for writing outstanding dialogue comes along. If they're lucky, they even get noticed. It's a good thing that was the case with Dylan Kidd, the writer/director of Roger Dodger. Kidd has a distinctive writing style that cuts through the scenes, shredding them before your eyes. it's the snicker inducing type of dialogue that most people wish they could converse with, because if you did, people would always listen.

Roger Dodger is a film about a man named Roger Swanson, a fast talking self-proclaimed ladies man who claims to know everything about both women and sex. When his teenaged nephew shows up, Roger decides to teach the boy everything he knows. The problem is, Roger has dilluted himself to the point of knowing NOTHING about either. Through their journey into the NYC nightlife, Roger learns more about himself than his nephew learns about woman.

So what makes this film work? Obviously, sharp dialogue isn't enough to carry a film. Even the smartest dialogue can wear thin after a while. What makes this film so good is the performance by the brilliant, and tragically underrated Campbell Scott (Singles, The Secret Lives of Dentists). He plays Roger perfectly, breathing so much life into what could easily have been a flat, one-note character. Also, as with all good films set in New York City, the city itself helps make the film. The nightlife is almost portrayed as another character, moving along the journey with Roger as both his security blanket and biggest problem. Roger was obviously long ago sucked into the night life. He a product of it.

Jesse Eisenberg turns in a great role as Roger's not-so-naive nephew. His wide-eyed wonder at watching Roger talk with women is great. You can see him taking it all in, good and bad, and trying to decide what to do with it.

All in all, Roger Dodger is one of those great little films that is perfect for a night on the couch.