Roger Dodger
Directed by Dylan Kidd.
Starring Campbell Scott.
When the opening scene of Roger Dodger opened with a loudmouthed, sarcastic, pessimistic man lecturing those around him about how women no longer need men, I thought, Oh God, not another one of these stupid, let’s look at male-female relationships and spend an entire film in a coffee shop arguing about it. In fact, it even has wobbly hand-held camerawork — and of course I thought this was another attempt at “dogma” film-making by people who should just give up.
Happily, I was very wrong. Whilst being an exploration of sexual relationships and how men and women relate to each other, it was well done and insightful with an interesting story and script to back it up. And, very importantly, the wobbly hand-held camera was left behind at the end of the first scene.
Roger Swanson (Campbell Scott) is an advertising executive who is witty, sarcastic and probably nothing less than excellent at his job. He would be smooth with the ladies, but he allows his pessimism to creep into his interactions with them. He is either manipulating or being brutally honest in his bitterly articulate way.
Roger’s much older boss, played by an aging Isabella Rossellini (who is apparently gorgeous to others, but just looks old and haggard to me), has been having a covert sexual relationship with him. She decides that it’s over and Roger can’t quite take the rejection. Into Roger’s life appears Nick, Roger’s 16 year old nephew. He has dropped in to see New York and get advice about women from his womanising uncle Roger. Thus begins Nick’s education and Roger’s awakening. Their quest to get Nick acquainted with women is interesting, funny and truly surprising for all of the characters as well as the audience.
Needless to say, Roger learns that perhaps the world is a little less straightforward than his pessimistic view allows for, that people aren’t as predictable as you’d want to believe, and that there is something special about innocence, family and friendship.
The Reelbuzz: Don’t let these closing “feel-good” comments put you off. Roger Dodger is an interesting ride.
ESther
