RODGER DODGER
Directed by: Dylan Kidd.
Produced by: Anne Chaisson, Kidd & George Van Buskirk.
Written by: Kidd.
Director of Photography: Joaquín Baca-Asay.
Edited by: Andy Keir.
Music by: Craig Wedren.
Released by: Artisan.
Country of Origin: USA. 106 min. Rated: R.
With: Campbell Scott, Jesse Eisenberg, Isabella Rossellini, Elizabeth Berkley & Jennifer Beals.

DVD Features: Director's Preface to the DVD. Composer, Mixer, Producer, Executive Producer & Director Interviews. Examination of a scene. Deleted Scene. "New York at Night: The Roger Dodger Walking Tour with Eisenberg." Commentary by Kidd & Baca-Asay. Commentary by Scott, Eisenberg & Kidd. Player's Guide to Scoring with Women. Trailer.

This dialogue-driven film begins with a sharp exchange between the cynical Roger Swanson (Scott) and the unfortunate women who are the object of his witty but failing pickup lines. The tone is set early, and the audience is immediately drawn to and repulsed by Roger’s obnoxious ways. Soon, he is paid a visit by his 16-year-old nephew, Nick (aptly played by Eisenberg), from Ohio who wants to learn the ropes from his uncle. They bar hop through Manhattan in the hope that Nick will gain both confidence and experience. Campbell Scott is, as always, superb, and the supporting cast is certainly first rate, which includes Isabella Rossellini and Jennifer Beals. And first time writer/director Dylan Kidd definitely has a knack for rapid and clever dialogue, but 105 minutes of very similar conversations–coupled with a somewhat annoying hand-held camera style–wears a bit on the viewer. While occasionally amusing, once you tire of Roger’s wit and realized that Nick will ultimately discover that his uncle is hardly the ladies man he says he is, you may begin to wonder exactly what Kidd is trying to say for the rest of the film. Unless you are in the mood for a very narrow exploration of a lonely 30-something pickup artist at his most misogynistic, this movie is not worth renting or buying.

Michael Morley, President of CineBLAST! Productions (Revolution #9, Bobby G. Can't Swim & Spring Forward)

DVD Features: Two commentaries are offered when only one will suffice. For “film geeks,” Kidd and Baca-Asay’s commentary is a “film school in a box,” while the actors’ facetious commentary features Scott’s droll sense of humor. And in an interview, Kidd vigorously defends the use of the shaky hand-held camera--to get the disorienting feeling of what it would be like to be in a room with Roger. The extra that can be missed is the “New York at Night” featurette. Eisenberg and actor Gabriel Millman haplessly improvise trying to be funny, and they don’t even go to the real locations. KT
August 30, 2003