Mr. Woodcock

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

To laugh at parts of this film would indicate one has a streak of Woodcockism in oneself. But to gaze in stupefied fascination is perfectly understandable. That's what makes Thornton such a complex actor.

New York Post Kyle Smith

The insult comedy is sometimes brilliant.

Chicago Reader Joshua Katzman

There aren't that many laugh-out-loud jokes in this comedy, yet Billy Bob Thornton's portrayal of ass-kicking gym coach Mr. Woodcock is almost worth the price of admission.

Entertainment Weekly Marc Bernardin

Uninspired, sure, but sporadically, spasmodically funny.

The Hollywood Reporter Stephen Farber

As Mr. Woodcock demonstrates, a great premise can generate a lot of goodwill and almost overcome an uneven script. So too can expert performances.

Chicago Tribune Jessica Reaves

Let's say you find yourself at the multiplex, and the first 20 minutes of Mr. Woodcock happen to correspond with the 20 minutes you need to waste before your movie of choice begins. Those are the ideal 20 minutes to spend with this marginally promising--but ultimately unfunny--comedy.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

Mild pleasures are available in Mr. Woodcock.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer William Arnold

Certainly, it's mediocre, but no more so than half the comedies that are wildly promoted by their studios these days.

Los Angeles Times John Anderson

A movie that commits sins of excess, except regarding Thornton. There's not nearly enough of him.

The New York Times Matt Zoller Seitz

It’s “The Great Santini” remade as a sitcom.

New York Daily News Jack Mathews

You can guess how it all ends, but getting there is a repetitious parade of put-downs and smackdowns that suggest you can't go home again - not when your mom's sleeping with a monster from your past.

San Francisco Chronicle Steve Winn

Mr. Woodcock may be a nasty tyrant, but he also knows his domain is small. "For Christ's sake," he tells Farley at one point, "it was just a PE class, you fruitcake."

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

Borders on poppycock.

Portland Oregonian M. E. Russell

There are two solid sight gags and funny supporting work by Amy Poehler as a boozy publicist.

Film Threat Michael Ferraro

All Mr. Woodcock gives us is mediocre comedy at its finest.

Village Voice Robert Wilonsky

Amy Poehler ekes out a smirk or two as a boozy broad publicist trying to keep her paycheck in check, but even the best gags feel like leftovers, again.

Variety Justin Chang

There's more genuine humor to be gleaned from saying "Woodcock" over and over again than from watching Mr. Woodcock, a wan comic effort barely elevated a few notches by Billy Bob Thornton's passive-aggressive villainy.

Austin Chronicle Josh Rosenblatt

Unfortunately, Mr. Woodcock is funny for exactly five minutes, during which time Woodcock is shown throwing basketballs at boys’ heads and mocking them for having dead parents.

Boston Globe Janice Page

The film logs almost all of its laughs when it's at its crudest, meanest, and most unfiltered. Everything else - and that is to say most of the movie - is a big, fat, derivative waste of time.

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

It goes without saying that the humor is vulgar and juvenile.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Stephen Cole

Who wants to watch any film where Sarandon, the sexiest 60-year-old woman alive, is first prize in a corn-eating contest?

The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias

Thornton is one of America's finest actors, but after this, "Bad News Bears," and "School For Scoundrels," his run of loveably irascible authority-figure roles should probably come to a close. He's kicked around one child too many.

USA Today Claudia Puig

This may be the most laugh-free comedy of the year.

Premiere Aaron Hillis

This one's been sitting on shelves for two years -- never good news -- and you can almost see the dollar signs in the cast's eyes.

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

Sarandon blends into the background, having practically nothing to do except stand around and wring her hands as the two men in her life battle it out in a passive-aggressive war. It's enough to make her want to run off with Thelma.