Contrary to what you might think Billy Bob Thornton does not (as far as this reporter knows) have a…well, u know. Nor does this movie contain any jokes to that effect (much to the disappointment of this reporter). Woodcock is simply the character’s name, nothing more, nothing less. Darn.

Considering the strong animosity between the two main characters, played by Billy Bob Thornton (Bad News Bears, Bad Santa) and Sean William Scott (The Dukes of Hazzard, American Pie series), this reporter was expecting (and honestly hoping for) at least one crack about genitalia.

During his childhood, John Farley was tormented by his gym teacher, Mr. Woodcock. Apparently trying to squash these painful memories into his past he becomes a successful writer with the publication of his book “Letting Go: Moving past your past”. While on a book signing tour he finds out that his hometown wants to award him the “Corncob Key” to the city, to be awarded at “Cornival”. He returns home to find that his mother is seeing someone. Mr. Woodcock.

Woodcock doesn’t remember John but John will never forget him. John’s mother believes Mr. Woodcock to be a nice, sweet caring man but John knows that something isn’t right. When she and Woodcock announce that they plan to get married John knows he has to do something. When his publicist calls and wants him to return to his book tour he replies “I can’t leave now! My mom’s about to marry the antichrist!!!”

The two of them go back and forth getting one-up on each other but ultimately it’s the audience who comes out ahead. A combination of slapstick (or just plain getting slapped with stuff) and innuendo makes this a thinking person’s comedy which can also be enjoyed by anyone with even a slightly dirty mind.

Slightly less flashy than many of today’s movies, which oft times rely on spectacular effects and computer generation, Mr. Woodcock shows that acting still counts for something in this age of technological dependence (which this reporter is admittedly guilty of).

It is refreshing to see a film that hasn’t been remade or taken from a book (not to say that this reporter doesn’t enjoy some of the cinematized novels), so few today have original story lines. Also this reporter will say that it’s nice to see a comedy that doesn’t come across as total farce.

Altogether Mr. Woodcock gets a C. It was quite funny but not this reporters favorite so far this year. For those who enjoy close-to-life type comedies (or, indeed, a few dirty jokes) this film is recommended.