In "School for Scoundrels," Jon Heder plays Roger, a mopey loser whose infatuation with an attractive neighbor, Amanda (Jacinda Barrett), prompts him to sign up for an assertiveness class. There, Roger finds himself under the thumb of Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton), whose tough-love system of verbal intimidation and paintball battles (sans padded protection) is designed to turn nerds into gimlet-eyed lions, capable of seducing women and staring down bullies.

Director and co-writer Todd Phillips and co-writer Scot Armstrong have created a nondescript revenge comedy in which Roger organizes a convoluted comeuppance for Dr. P after the instructor takes too much of a shine to Amanda. The movie is bereft of any real focus or provocative ideas, which is a surprising result from Phillips, the maker of "Road Trip" and "Old School" -- comedies in which the dumber qualities of the male animal were laid bare with brazen, revelatory hilarity.

Hopelessly miscast as a romantic figure, Heder remains steadfastly unappealing in the role of Roger. With the exception of one scene -- in which Roger turns a tennis match with Dr. P into crotch-specific target practice -- Heder never shows the charisma that lit up "Napoleon Dynamite."

Clearly enamored with the endearing brand of drawly sarcasm for which Thornton has become known, the filmmakers aren't sure whether to paint Dr. P as an uncompromising villain or a mischievous teddy bear. The upshot is that Dr. P's most menacing aspect is Thornton's rather obvious hairpiece.

-- Desson Thomson (Sep. 29, 2006)

Contains profanity, crude and sexual content, and violence.