This debut for helmer and vid vet Dewey Nicks and scribe David H. Steinberg, a feverishly naughty revenge comedy, is awful and subversively spunky at the same time.
Slackers (2002)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:104
Fresh:10
Rotten:94
Average Rating:3.1/10
Consensus: Another teen comedy with little on its mind but moving to the next gross-out gag, Slackers strains for laughs and features grating characters.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for strong language and sexual content, and for brief drug use
Runtime: 86 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Feb 1, 2002 Wide
Box Office: $4,814,244
Synopsis: Dave (Devon Sawa), Sam (Jason Segel) and Jeff (Michael C. Maronna) are about to graduate from Holden University with Honors in lying, cheating and scheming. The three roommates have proudly scammed... Dave (Devon Sawa), Sam (Jason Segel) and Jeff (Michael C. Maronna) are about to graduate from Holden University with Honors in lying, cheating and scheming. The three roommates have proudly scammed their way through the last four years of college and now, during final exams, these big-men-on-campus are about to be busted by the most unlikely dude in school. Self-dubbed Cool Ethan (Jason Schwartzman), an ambitious nerd with a bad crush, enters their lives one day and everything begins to unravel. When Ethan accidentally catches Dave in an exam scam and gathers some incriminating evidence against him, Dave and his friends find themselves completely at his mercy. Threatening to expose the three Slackers Ethan offers a deal: he’ll let the guys off the hook on one condition – that they use their unethical expertise to get him the object of his desire, the brainy babe Angela (James King). Dave agrees to the plan, thinking this will be the easiest con they’ve pulled all semester. In no time they’ll return to drinking beer, picking up girls and paying smarter students to take their tests for them. There are just two problems. First of all, Cool Ethan’s experience with women is, to say the least, minimal. Secondly, and perhaps more problematically, when Dave meets the incredible Angela he starts to fall for her himself. Ethan soon discovers that despite Dave’s help and his own pathetic attempts at seduction, Angela isn’t interested in him – she’s falling for Dave. Refusing to see the writing on the wall, Ethan sabotages their relationship, and in a final attempt to insinuate himself, provides Angela with ‘a shoulder to cry on.’ To get revenge, Ethan also cancels the deal, announcing that Dave and his friends are going down, putting all of their futures at risk. But Cool Ethan just may have underestimated this trio. -- © 2001 Screen Gems [More]
Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Jamie King, Jason Segel, Michael C. Maronna
Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Jamie King, Jason Segel, Michael C. Maronna, Devon Sawa, Laura Prepon, Mamie Van Doren
Director: Dewey Nicks
Director: Dewey Nicks
Screenwriter: David H. Steinberg
Producer: Erik Feig, Neal H. Moritz
Studio: Screen Gems
Get This Movie
Reviews for Slackers
It’s several good jokes, a whole lot of character development and some skilled direction away from crossing the line from moronic to crudely inspired.
If it's unlikely to stimulate the brain cells, it will almost certainly make you laugh out loud.
This may be a vaguely gratifying rent someday if you are intrigued with Schwartzman's early movies. He'll surely be around for a while.
You really have to wonder how on earth anyone, anywhere could have thought they'd make audiences guffaw with a script as utterly diabolical as this.
Isn't it a pity when the best words a film critic can say about a movie are 'not an absolute bomb'?
It turns out to be a cut above the norm, thanks to some clever writing and sprightly acting.
It’s elevated into watchability thanks to the presence of Jason Schwartzman and some inspired off-the-wall moments amongst the smutty gags.
There is so much wrong with Slackers, it may be more efficient simply to point out the one acceptable ingredient: Jason Schwartzman.
Its effect could appeal only to hardcore masochists: you pay it $9.50 and it spends the next two-hours laughing at how dumb you are.
Going with this title is about as original as calling the movie Animal Houses.
This is not your average low-brow university comedy; these filmmakers have a much more twisted sense of humour, pulling laughs from the most surprising places to liven up what is essentially just a sweet romance.
Although not the best comedy in recent memory, it's not the worst either.
Asking serious questions about such movies usually is pointless, but how stupid do director Dewey Nicks and writer David H. Steinberg think women are?
Latest News for Slackers
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 67% 67% | Bruno |
| 47% 47% | My Sister's Keeper |
| 66% 66% | Is Anybody There? |
| 82% 82% | Thirst |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

TECHLAND gives us a first look at the extras, including Leonard Nimoy's last day on set!

AV Club looks at a beloved cult classic, Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness.

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Moviefone lists their choices for the least attractive men in Hollywood.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic


