DVD Review: Roger Dodger (B-)

Roger Dodger (2002)
Directed by Dylan Kidd
Starring Campbell Scott, Isabella Rossellini, Jesse Eisenberg, Elizabeth Berkley and Jennifer Beals
MPAA: R
Grade: B-

Review by Scott Standish

Roger Swanson is a fast talking, sarcastic copywriter living in the heart of Manhattan. He feels he can talk girls into anything, and because of his sharp on his feet style, he's earned himself the nickname Roger Dodger. His boss Joyce (Isabella Rossellini) was also his girlfriend, but she's just dumped him and in a cold hearted matter of fact manner. This won't do, especially for a man of his talents so he decides to try and win her back through (what else?) his relentless wit and salesmanship.

While this is happening, Roger gets a visit from his run away nephew Nick (Jesse Eisenberg), a virgin hoping to learn the singles ropes in the big city. Roger takes the young lad under his wing and soon they are off on a mission: Jesse needs to lose his virginity by nights end.

Roger shows Jesse how to lie to girls, how to take advantage of passed out women, and at one point, where to find hookers. Throughout the search Roger pontificates on the philosophy of love and life, Roger Dodger style ("Sex is everywhere!). Nick picks up on the confidence and the "stay sharp mentally" advice that Roger constantly espouses, but will he cross over completely to Roger's self centered, rather evil side?

The changes in Roger's character (and Nick's) at the end are noticeable, but frankly I wanted to see them a little more pronounced. The shallowness of the characters is a sticking point for me, I just didn't find myself being drawn deep enough into the minds of Roger and Nick. Campbell Scott does a fantastic job of bringing this sarcastic sleazeball to life, but I was just hoping to see this character written with a little more sensitivity.

The camerawork of director of photography Joaquin Baca-Asay has been hailed by some but I actually found it distracting. At times the camera work calls attention to itself needlessly (remember those Dockers ads where the camera kept moving all around while it was simply showing some guy's pants?). Several scenes have that style and its a little too much. Why call attention away from the actors here?

Roger Dodger has a few faults but I still found it to be a entertaining comedy/drama. Fans of this indie feature might also like the "young man in Manhattan" tale of Igby Goes Down, a similar tale with a little more depth to the story.

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