Stealing Harvard (2002)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

The story is just another common one about a person struggle to get his needs and dreams and doing everything he could but to no avail. The little things are somewhat hilarious, despite very predictable. The bigger picture of the story however, doesn't really bind well between its pieces. They all seem like a forcefully strewn montage of pieces of uncorrelated stories. The focus characters are way too stretched with having all the other supporting roles, yet they are not developed well enough to see the real essence of the character's core characteristics. One thing good though, is the presence of the twists, although again as predictable as they are. The acting is just another average. Jason Lee doesn't act his face well, it seemed like he's trying to hard with other aspects of his act but forgot about facial expressions. So did happen in the case of Tom Green, but luckily the way Tom speaks out his dialog is quite funny already. Leslie Mann is also did an average performance and quite not been able to be funny herself.

First off, this movie SHOULD have been great. Bruce McCulloch directing? Yeah! And the cast is comedy gold: Jason Lee, Tom Green, Leslie Mann, Dennis Farina, John C. McGinley, Megan Mullally... I mean, even the women are funny! The only thing that's really lacking is, sadly, the script.Everyone is funny, they just don't have enough to work with. The characters are 2D, the plot paper thin, and everything is just too convenient. Now I didn't expect anything weighty or life changing. Just something worth caring about.Don't get me wrong, the movie IS funny. Tom Green is great, providing some hilarious moments (Drinking milk and then suddenly pouring lemon juice in his mouth, for instance.) For the most part though, the humor relies entirely on his performance, not the strength of the writing. Also, Jason Lee is cast here as the Straight, the regular guy just trying to get his life in order. Personally, I much prefer him as the goofy sidekick type (i.e. Tom Green).All in all, this makes for a palatable little episodic comedy. But there's not enough to sink your teeth into. You can't get involved enough to really let go and laugh.

I really loved this movie. Most of my friends really loved this movie. But it takes a rather rare breed to appreciate the type of comedy it employs. I'd definitely recommend it to anybody who likes Jason Lee--he's stellar as always.Tom Green fans may not like it, though, because the comedy is rather subdued and very devoid of gross humor.The jokes rely heavily on the chemistry between the slapstick guy and the straight man--Tom and Jason being phenomenal examples of these categories, respectively.I say give it a try: if you hate it, you wasted less than 2 hours--big deal. But if you like it, chances are you'll love it.

When a good hearted young man (Jason Lee) did promise one day to his niece (Tammy Blanchard) that he would pay for his niece for college. When that day comes and when his niece got accept to at Harvard after all but she needs nearly $30,000 to enter. He cannot use the money, when he saved for his future wife (Leslie Mann) to buy their future home. But when he takes bad advice from his strange buddy (Tom Green) to steal the money and he takes his advice. But when he & his buddy land on so much trouble, which is out of trouble. It's gets harder, each time to get the job done.Directed by Bruce McCulloch (Dog Park, Superstar) made an amusing comedy, which it's starts as a oddball film early on. Directed McCulloch is best known as One of the Group from Comedy Canadian Gang-Kids in the Hall, which he also appears in a cameo near the end of the film as a lawyer. Lee & Green gives likable performances. But the film best moments belong to T.V.'s Six Feet Under-Richard Jenkins as a Strange Judge. Dennis Farina, Megan Mullally, Chris Penn, John C. Mc Ginley and Seymour Cassel also stars in the film.DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an fine-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD also has the original theatrical trailer and deleted scenes (also has the original ending). It is not the greatest comedy out-there. The film has some funny enjoyable moments. For a Comedy, it is worth watching & those who wants to see a Change of Pace role from Wild Comedian-Green. (****/*****).