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Campbell Scott, Jesse Eisenberg, Isabella Rossellini, Elizabeth Berkley, Jennifer Beals ... see more see more... , Ben Shenkman , Mina Badie , Chris Stack , Morena Baccarin , Colin Fickes , Gabriel Millman

Writer/director Dylan Kidd got a chance to make his script for Roger Dodger into a feature film when he boldly approached Campbell Scott in a café in Greenwich Village and made his pitch. Eventually, ... read more read more...Scott would agree to executive produce and star in the film, and was responsible for bringing Jennifer Beals and Isabella Rossellini onboard. Scott stars as the eponymous Roger, a successful New York ad man and self-proclaimed master of reading and manipulating women. The film begins with Roger out for drinks with his co-workers and demonstrating his verbal gifts. "Words are my stock in trade," he explains as he expounds. But he soon learns that his boss, Joyce (Rossellini), wants to end their clandestine sexual relationship. Roger gets another shock when his teenaged nephew, Nick (Jesse Eisenberg of TV's Get Real), shows up unannounced the next day at his job. Nick explains that he's in town for an interview at Columbia and soon admits that he wants Roger to take him out and give him a crash course on women. Soon the pair is out carousing, but when they run into the lovely Andrea (Elizabeth Berkley) and her friend, Sophie (Jennifer Beals), Roger discovers that despite Nick's sexual desperation, the teen is temperamentally unsuited to Roger's transparent womanizing mode of operation. In short, Nick is a sweet, open, and sensitive boy, while Roger proves himself to be a misogynist pig. Their differences grow even starker when Roger decides to crash a party Joyce is throwing that night, and brings Nick along. Roger Dodger was named the Best Narrative Feature in competition at the 2002 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

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74% liked it

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88% liked it

121 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Dylan Kidd

Release Date: November 1, 2002

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DVD Release Date: March 18, 2003

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Flixster Reviews (518)

  • fb619846742
    May 5, 2012
    fb619846742
    A fast-paced, dialogue-driven, well-constructed little film about the immorality of our times, specifically playboy Roger (Campbell Scott) and how he decides to give his 16-year old nephew (Jesse Eisenberg) in town a crash course in how to get laid after his nephew asks for his h... read moreelp. It is at times a little unbelievable, but still irrefutably fascinating despite its shortcomings and uneven pacing. This is mostly due to Scott's powerhouse performance as a man stripped of any conceivable morals, which serves as a fascinating though depressing study of sex and its agonizing grip on some individuals lives. Eisenberg is also fantastic playing the insecure, virgin character he and Michael Cera have made a living off of for a little over a decade now. It is explicit, sometimes a little full of itself, and sometimes lacking some editing, but is is nevertheless a successful, memorable look on the lack of morality in our culture.
  • fb791220692
    February 6, 2012
    fb791220692
    By displaying to audiences a severely dishonest human being, Roger Dodger's thought-provoking script is able to reach a surprising level of honesty. While Campbell Scott plays a hugely unlikeable character (which wouldn't be a problem if the script didn't want audiences to sympa... read morethize with him), Jesse Eisenberg is as good as always in his first-ever movie.
  • hunterjt13
    August 4, 2011
    hunterjt13
    A "ladies man," who, despite his claims, routinely "fails" with the ladies, instructs his nephew in the ways of meeting women.
    This film is truly fantastic, with some witty, sharp dialogue, but its freeze-frame ending, which I won't give away, isn't satisfactory. I really like t... read morehe idea of Roger's character: it is sharply written by Dylan Kidd, and Campbell Scott plays the oblivious yet confident player to perfection. Jesse Eisenberg is also wonderfully honest and charming as his protege.
    Overall, I was ready to give this film five stars until the ending, which might appeal to some, but I'm saying too much when I note that there isn't enough change or struggle not to change in a character.
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    November 23, 2010
    LoughnerWasLucid
    Finally, a movie without Jesse Eisenberg! oh, wait...
  • SirPant
    September 30, 2009
    SirPant
    I didn't enjoy this film as much as I thought I would, I think the trailer is a little misleading. Still, a good story, an outstanding performance by Cambell Scott and, on a more anally technical note, really good editing.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    August 31, 2008
    cancercapricorn2002
    Some Minor Spoilers Here **************************************************************Critics adore independent films. Made usually on shoestring budgets and starring either no-bodies, wannabees or actors trying to make a statement, independent films are usually made by people w... read moreho love movies for people who love movies. Enter Dylan Kidd's writing and directing debut, the 2002 very funny and memorable film Roger Dodger.

    Campbell Scott (The Spanish Prisoner) plays Roger Swanson, a fast talking, chain-smoking, ever drinking 30-something that believes he is truly God's gift to earthly women. We are first introduced to Roger as he engages in conversation with fellow co-workers at a public restaurant and Roger dominates the conversation offering his views on man's ability over women to read maps, the workings and history of the female genatalia and why science and evolution will have men being reduced to servitude in 10 to 15 generations. Roger dominates the dialogue and with rapid fire crass and the occasional sneer at those that joke at his revelations, we are introduced to a man who is on a conceited high that will eventually lead to his emotional crisis.

    Enter Roger's nephew, Nick (played by Jesse Eisenberg) who shows up from out of town and looks to Roger for help in the disposing of his virginity. Roger, acting more like someone who wants to show off his masculine powers than act that of a big brother, takes Nick under his wing for a night of adventure. The self-professed `FN lightening rod' for sex sneaks Nick into bars, takes him to a house party and eventually to an underground brothel in an attempt to shed the youngster of his innocence. But with each new venue, we are exposed to Roger's vulnerability and we experience a man who is on a kamikaze mission to destruction.

    In a touching scene between Nick and two women picked up at a local bar (played understatedly by Jennifer Beals and Elizabeth Berkley), it is Nick's innocence and honestly that has the women swoon over Roger's frank and demeaning manner. The scene is wonderfully lit with just street lights and the camera angles which sometimes don't focus on the talking character, suck you in so that you believe you are on that cold park bench with them.

    This is the genius that is usually associated with the independent films. People talk over each other, and sets are usually actual locations that lend to the aura and feel of the film. Dylan Kidd uses what light is available to him and sometimes that means that characters are talking in the dark corners of an alley or are blocked out by the backs of other actors. However, one is never lost or feels betrayed by the filmmakers because the dialogue remains so crisp and real.

    Campbell Scott won a best actor award from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures for his role in Roger Dodger and in my opinion, he was overlooked for an Academy Award nomination for the same role. He delivers the Tarantino-ish dialogue with precision and makes this disgusting character of a man someone that we can relate to or at least understand.

    My final note about independent films is that they don't have the pressure to produce the 'Hollywood' ending. Roger Dodger ends not with Roger realizing the err of his way, but with a poignant adult talk with some school boys who show us the same immaturity as Roger, just at a younger understanding. Kudos to all those involved with this marvelous film that was indeed one of the best of 2002. It goes without saying but this is one to check out
  • ironclad1609
    September 3, 2007
    ironclad1609
    A rather unsuccessful womanizer is taking his teenage nephew to a night out and teach him about approaching and scoring with the ladies. That leads to quite a few amusing, true and wonderfully pathetic observations about flirting, sex, men and women. While the camera work is some... read morewhat experimental and shaky at times by trying to be voyeur instead of cinematic observer it also gives the movie a pretty realistic feel. Like Sex and The City for men, pretty interesting.
  • kenstachnik
    August 9, 2007
    kenstachnik
    The inclusion of Jessi Spano is genius
  • mjgildea
    August 8, 2007
    mjgildea
    A great black comedy from the Neil LaBute mean and sadistic vein. It's almost like Swingers in hell. Campbell Scott spits venom and wisdom as he teaches his naive yet bright nephew how to score with women. The Jennifer Beals park scene was great. It reminded me of a twisted "Catc... read moreher in the Rye" at points. The ending started to lose me as it began to bitch out but then recovered the fumble. Good stuff.
  • DrZeek
    September 15, 2006
    DrZeek
    Guys that are assholes and get girls annoy me, but Campbell Scott plays it so well in this movie, and then he tries to teach his ways to his nephew, so I guess there is always hope for more assholes.

View All Roger Dodger Reviews

Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer
January 16, 2003
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

A fascinating, uneven first feature from the young writer-director Dylan Kidd. Full Review

Roger Moore
January 3, 2003
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

We journey from appreciating Roger as the ideal over-drinks conversationalist to someone we would cross the street to avoid.

Mike Clark
December 5, 2002
Mike Clark, USA Today

Scott's low-key portrayal makes Roger interesting. Full Review

Joe Baltake
November 15, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Campbell Scott, in the role of a lifetime, brushes past all the built-in limitations, seizes the role -- and us -- and turns it into a genuine tour de force. Full Review

November 15, 2002
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Roger Dodger is an impressive first-time effort by Dylan Kidd, the director and writer. But like the teen in the movie who is trying to lose his virginity, the film never quite scores.

David Edelstein
November 9, 2002
David Edelstein, Slate

Even at its grimmest, the movie hums along, thanks to the edgy, hand-held, on-the-fly cinematography and the snappy performances. Full Review

John Moore
November 8, 2002
John Moore, Denver Post

An exciting debut from promising, and fairly disturbed, young director/screenwriter Dylan Kidd. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
November 8, 2002
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Watching Roger at work isn't always pleasant, but it's one of the year's most mesmerizing sights.

Chris Vognar
November 7, 2002
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

You won't like Roger, but you will quickly recognize him. And that's a big part of why we go to the movies. Full Review

Rex Reed
November 6, 2002
Rex Reed, New York Observer

The terrific and bewilderingly underrated Campbell Scott gives a star performance that is nothing short of mesmerizing. Full Review

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Roger Dodger Trivia

  • In Roger Dodger (2002) he plays a high school kid visiting his uncle to find help on how to lose his virginity.  Answer »
  • In 'Roger Dodger', what was the name of the girl that Nick and his mates wanted to talk to but were to afraid?  Answer »
  • David Bowie provides the voice of Maltazard in the animated fantasy Arthur and the Invisibles. Which of the following is not one of Bowie's alter egos?  Answer »
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