COMMENT

An old-fashioned comedy in the vein of “Meet the Parents” High-concept flick about teenagers' eternal anxieties Starring Seann William Scott, Billy Bob Thornton, and Susan Sarandon, has been sitting on the shelves for two years waiting for the “right time” to be released.

Seann William Scott plays John Farley, a man who hasn't always been the confident, best-selling author of self-help books that he is today. Its taken Farley two decades to recover from Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton), the ruthless teacher from hell who made his high-school years a living nightmare.

But now Woodcock is engaged to Farley'ss mother (Susan Sarandon), and John is determined to prove that his step-father-to-be is an abusive creep before its too late. Unfortunately, Farley's plans keep backfiring. The more he tries to make Mr. Woodcock look bad, the worse he makes himself look.

Made in the tradition of “Meet the Parents” movies, “Mr. Woodcock” is a screwball comedy of mismatched temperaments.

At first look, Farley's life seems like a dream come true. He's already had one self-help bestseller, and he's in the middle of a publicity tour for his second book, “Letting Go.” In short, he is on a fast track to fame.

However, a last-minute detour to the Midwest for a quick visit to his mother threatens to derail not only his promising career as a self-help guru but every last vestige of his newfound inner peace.

Farley returns home a conquering hero. Admired and famous, hes awarded the highest honor the town can bestowthe Corn Cob Key to the city, which the mayor will present to him at the towns annual Cornival festival. He even revives an old high school romance. But all thats about to change

When he discovers that his mother is going to marry Woodcock, Farley becomes obsessed with exposing his old teachers true nature. Though its clear Woodcock and his mother are crazy about each other, Farley cant seem to get past memories of his tormented childhood. He decides to delay his book tour, stay in town through the weekend and settle the score! But Woodcock turns the tables on Johns every attempt to discredit him.

By Sundays Cornival, Farley's desperate hijinks have lost him his book contract, broken his mothers heart and discredited him in front of the whole town, including his new sweetheart. The mayor has even taken back the Corn Cob Key!

With his life and career hanging in the balance, would Farley be able to follow his own self-help philosophy and let go Or will he lose everything as he goes head to head with Woodcock in a raucous and hilarious battle of wills

Starring Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton (“Love Actually,” “Monster's Ball”), Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (“Shall We Dance,” “Dead Man Walking”), and Seann William Scott (“The American Pie” series), “Mr. Woodcock” is directed by Craig Gillespie.

In early studio reports, the script is attributed to to Josh Sternin and Jeffery Eentimilia (TV's “The Simpsons”), but in the film's final credits, the screenwriters are Josh Gilbert and Michael Carnes.