Roger Dodger

An astute and stylishly brooding black comedy-drama, deftly scripted and directed by first-time filmmaker Dylan Kidd, Roger Dodger takes place over the course of one night, as an arrogant, bombastic, psychologically savage, emotionally immature inveterate bachelor (Campbell Scott in an outstanding performance) takes his unworldly, 16-year-old, suburban nephew (Jesse Eisenberg) under his wing for a crash course in the art of seduction. Relishing the opportunity to pass down his ignominious wisdom in verbose and razor-sharp pontifications as they sneak into singles bars, Roger unintentionally exposes his true nature in the process: he's a thirtysomething sexual parasite who can't face the thought of spending a night not just by himself, but with himself. Sporting guerilla cinema tactics that keep the film bracing and kinetic, this spicy, dark sex farce is a tantalizing, provocative indulgence destined for bachelor flick cult status--a perfect cross between Swingers and In the Company of Men. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentaries by director Dylan Kidd and cinematographer Joaquin Baca-Asay, and by Kidd and costars Campbell Scott and Jesse Eisenberg; a two-minute onscreen director's preface; production featurettes (“The Composer and the Mixer” [7 min.], “The Producer” [4 min.] and “The Executive Producer and the Director” [5 min.]); a 12-minute “Examination of a Scene: Opaline” segment; a seven-minute “New York at Night” walking tour with Eisenberg; the three-minute deleted scene “The Cafeteria” with optional commentary; and the text segment “A Player's Guide to Scoring With Women.” Bottom line: a fine extras package for a solid film.] (R. Blackwelder)