Click to read the article
The Battle of Shaker Heights (2003)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted: 55
Fresh: 24
Rotten:31
Average Rating: 5.2/10
Consensus: LaBeouf is appealing, but The Battle of Shaker Heights feels too watered down and disjointed.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for language and some drug references
Runtime: 79 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Aug 22, 2003 Limited
Box Office: $214,176
Synopsis: With a team of strong actors, a hilarious script by Erica Beeney, and an evocative soundtrack, directing duo Efram Potelle and Kyle Rankin have hit the nail on the head with THE BATTLE OF SHAKER... With a team of strong actors, a hilarious script by Erica Beeney, and an evocative soundtrack, directing duo Efram Potelle and Kyle Rankin have hit the nail on the head with THE BATTLE OF SHAKER HEIGHTS. A clever and wonderfully nostalgic coming-of-age movie that does not fail to entertain, it achieves something close to Wes Anderson's brilliant RUSHMORE. Kelly Ernswiler (Shia LaBeouf) is a 17-year-old expert in the art of war, uncomfortable in his own skin except for those shining moments when he is reenacting historic battles or viciously critiquing his poor history teacher for a watered-down understanding of Gettysburg. Kelly is a bundle of thwarted ideas and insights that he chalks up to living with his artist Mom (Kathleen Quinlan), who is short on homemaking skills, and recovering drug addict father (William Sadler), who occasionally invites the local homeless to sleep on their couch. When Kelly becomes the target of a school bully (Billy Kay), his rich-kid friend Bart (Elden Henson) helps him wage a grand-scale counterattack. Even more trouble bubbles up when Kelly develops an inappropriate and obstinate infatuation with Bart's Yale grad-school sister Tabby (Amy Smart). A product of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Project Greenlight, BATTLE OF SHAKER HEIGHTS is a unique success due to Potelle's graceful teetering between smart-ass exterior and inner fragility. [More]
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Kathleen Quinlan, Amy Smart, William Sadler
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Kathleen Quinlan, Amy Smart, William Sadler, Eldon Henson, Anson Mount, Shiri Appleby
Director: Efram Potelle, Kyle Rankin
Director: Efram Potelle, Kyle Rankin
Screenwriter: Erica Beeney
Producer: Jeff Balis
Studio: Miramax Films
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.
Buy DVD
Release:
Dec 9, 2003
Reviews for The Battle of Shaker Heights
An above-average teen film with a witty screenplay and undeniable charm.
All I can say is there's plenty of difficult people in Hollywood. We just aren't usually exposed to it. I think this film will speak for itself and the future of all involved.
A movie such as this can easily get by on charm, so long as we get a surprise or two from the rest of the script. Therein lies the problem.
A movie as awkward and embarrassing as when you're 13 and your grandma sends you a birthday card with a clown on it.
For most of its length it coasts by with above-average charm and a solid grasp of messy adolescent emotions.
Not especially original of concept or execution, but it's a pleasant enough script and very well acted by both youngsters LaBeouf and Henson and veterans Quinlan, Sadler and Smart.
The film is well-acted and looks good, but it's so inconsequential and bland that you wonder what was it about the script that made anyone think it would make an interesting movie.
Related Forums for The Battle of Shaker Heights
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
79% 79% |
Gran Torino |
30% 30% |
12 Rounds |
23% 23% |
Confessions of a Shopa… |
|
The Code |
39% 39% |
Inkheart |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
22% 22% |
Push |
12% 12% |
The Unborn |
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Battle of Shaker Heights at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Battle of Shaker Heights at IGN
- The Battle of Shaker Heights at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

MSN's David Fear and Frank Paiva go head to head discussing the pros and cons of Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen.

The AV Club's Scott Tobias takes a second look at David Lynch's cult classic, Lost Highway.

TIME takes us on a 25-year long journey into the superstar's career, giving us a look at his 10 best roles.

BuzzSugar reports on Paramount's plans to rebirth the iconic TV show as a comedy film.



Top Critic

