Drillbit Taylor

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Three high school students take extreme measures to defeat a pair of bullies in the droll comedy "Drillbit Taylor" (Paramount). Though this latest production by the prolific Judd Apatow has some endearing qualities, other elements make it appropriate fare only for the mature.

On the first day of their freshman year, scrawny Wade (Nate Hartley) and tubby Ryan (Troy Gentile) want nothing more than to appear cool. But when the two friends witness Filkins (Alex Frost), a malevolent upperclassman, and Ronnie (Josh Peck), his thuggish sidekick, stuffing undersized fellow newcomer Emmit (David Dorfman) into his own locker, Wade summons the courage to interfere.

The result is a relentless campaign of demeaning pranks waged against all three.

Rather than spend the entire school year on the run from their persecutors, the boys concoct a scheme to hire an adult bodyguard. The only applicant willing to settle for the measly salary they've scraped together is the fast-talking Taylor (Owen Wilson), a homeless veteran who dazzles them with wildly exaggerated accounts of his military experiences.

Infiltrating the school in the guise of "Dr. Illbit," a substitute teacher, Taylor is soon dividing his time between protecting his new friends and romancing his alluring colleague, Lisa (Leslie Mann). Though he confidently claims that anyone holding a coffee mug can pass for a member of the faculty, it only takes a coincidence for Taylor to be unmasked, leaving the boys more vulnerable than ever.

Director Steven Brill's film emphasizes its titular character's evolution from con man to caring mentor, and his young clients' search for courage and solidarity. But the dialogue is rife with vulgar terms, while the handling of the central love story, in which physical intimacy precedes all but the most basic social interaction, is highly problematic.

For these reasons, "Drillbit Taylor" cannot be recommended for the young viewers who are, presumably, its target audience. The film contains brief rear nudity, implied premarital sex, frequent crude and pervasive crass language, six uses of profanity, and drug and pornography references. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops