It would be fair to say that Owen Wilson (Cars,You, Me and Dupree) is not one of my favourite actors - but I like to give people a chance to redeem themselves.

A bunch of kids are about to start their "highschool career" but on their first day they end up becoming the kids that the big bully likes to torment. Seeing no way out they decide to hire a bodyguard.

Drillbit (Wilson) is living in a makeshift tent on the seashore, but when his home is removed by the police he becomes desperate and decides to leave for Canada. All he needs is some quick cash. So he responds to an ad he sees on the internet (using someone else's laptop without them realising) for a bodyguard.

The scam is going well and drillbit plays the kids for a while, posing as a substitute teacher at their school so that he can help them evade the bully. But his advice ends up causing them even more trouble and it doesn't help when he falls for one of their teachers.

This was certainly one of Owen Wilson's better movies, up there with Zoolander in the positive column for him. He was, of course, his usual character but my guess is that this is the role most people like him for.

The child actors were certainly well cast, with the two main leads reminding me a lot of Keanan and Kel - just with less references to Orange Soda.

I doubt that this film will be nominated for many Oscars, but it was a funny film without being too crude. This is one to see if you want to laugh.

see also:
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, Bruce Almighty, Dinner for Shmucks, Land of the Lost

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photo © Paramount Pictures.