Review of Roger Dodger (2002) by Me M — 25 Sep 2009
An excellent indy movie and a wonderful turn by Campbell Scott as the lead.
Roger is an apparently shallow misogynist who uses lame pop psychology lines to try and seduce women in bars. He's sleeping with his boss (Isabella Rossellini) and it's not going well. He uses his charm and sex (not always successfully) to navigate through what he perceives is a city full of women always sexually available.
When his nephew, played by Jesse Eisenberg, lands on his doorstep, Roger takes it upon himself to give the boy an education in seducing women -- even though it quickly becomes obvious that Roger barely knows what he's doing. In truth he's a lonely goof who's ping ponged from one casual encounter to another and probably never had a significant relationship that lasted more than a month.
Scott's best scene is when he sits brooding on his sofa, staring past his lit cigarette at nothing. Roger knows what he is.
The final truth about Roger and whether or not Nick (Eisenberg) is really his nephew or a more significant relative is tantalizing and wisely left unanswered.
My only complaint: this movie has the most annoying soundtrack I've ever heard. It's way beyond nails on a chalkboard. I wanted to take the synthesizer away from the 'musician' and beat him senseless with it.
This review of Roger Dodger (2002) was written by Me M on 25 Sep 2009.
Roger Dodger has generally received positive reviews.
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