Jason Lee is a charismatic actor who, given the right vehicle, could really shine as a major star. Unfortunately, his latest effort, “Stealing Harvard”, is not that vehicle.
Lee plays a home health supply store manager named John Plummer who finally saves the $30,000 he needs to marry his girlfriend.
The conflict: John’s niece gets accepted into Harvard and needs the exact same amount of money in order to attend. John had promised to pay for her college education when she was in grade school, primarily because she didn’t seem like college material at the time. Rather than tell his fianc?e the truth, he decides to revert to criminal activity to raise the tuition.
“Stealing Harvard” is a less than mediocre movie that suffers from a sitcom plot and uninspired talent. For every funny joke, there are too many that are just embarrassing.
But the fault of this film doesn’t lie on Lee’s shoulders; it lies on Tom Green’s. Green plays Lee’s best friend, who talks him into the life of crime. And unfortunately for the audience, Green also becomes his partner.
Whoever thought that this guy should have an acting career should be taken out and shot – or better yet, forced to watch his own movies. Granted his outrageous antics made for amusing television, but they do not translate to film. Green only detracts from the picture. Perhaps a better choice would have been Jack Black, who is a hundred times more talented than Green.
Fingers should also be pointing to screenwriter Peter Tolan, who is much much much better than this garbage. With credits like “Analyze This” and the greatly underappreciated television series “The Job”, Tolan has shown a darkly sly sense of humor that is sorely absent here.
And the last man to be blamed here is director Bruce McCulloch. As a member of the greatest comedy troupe ever, The Kids in the Hall (yes, even better than Monty Python), McCulloch should be producing better material. Instead, his directing efforts have been shallow comedies such as “Dog Park” and “Superstar”. It makes one wish that the Kids would get back together to make another movie after the hysterical “Brain Candy”.
But “Stealing Harvard” does have some good points. Lee, while looking embarrassed to be in such a bad film, is great as always. With any luck, he will get better scripts in the future to utilize his talents.
Two supporting actors also lend a lot more to the story than they should. Dennis Farina plays Lee’s future father-in-law. Farina plays Farina, but the stereotype has worked in the past, and continues to work here. The other honorable mention should be given to “Will & Grace” star Megan Mullally. Though she doesn’t stray far from her bad girl character of the sitcom, she is just so good at it that it doesn’t matter.
Despite three-quarters of a good cast, “Stealing Harvard” can’t get around the unfunny antics of Green. This isn’t a see-at-the-theater movie. In fact, it can barely be rated as a renter. One would be better off waiting to see this when it hits Comedy Central.