Stealing Harvard Review

Stealing Harvard
John Plummer has saved $30,000 so that he can finally marry his fiancée. Unfortunately, he’s also unwittingly pledged to pay for his niece’s Harvard fees. In order to get the money, John and his best friend turn to a life of crime.

by William Thomas |
Published on
Release Date:

14 Mar 2003

Running Time:

82 minutes

Certificate:

12a

Original Title:

Stealing Harvard

Last year’s irredeemable Tom Green ‘comedy’ Freddy Got Fingered may have been a cinematic war crime, but at least it was ambitious, forthright and — for those who saw the infant-twirling escapades — memorable. Stealing Harvard doesn’t even possess infamy, just overwhelming blandness in its sub-sitcom antics.

Director McCulloch, previously of Canadian comedy troupe The Kids In The Hall, singularly fails to recall any of the inspired zaniness of his alma mater, foolishly allowing Green’s repulsive, one-note antics to dominate. Peter Tolan’s equally uninspired script is particularly depressing, considering his excellent work on TV’s The Larry Sanders Show.

The usually charming Lee proves how debilitated he is by bad material, yet he soldiers on in a thankless role, retreating into Matthew Broderick’s patented ‘put-upon’ routine. As for Green, that he inexplicably continues to get work is a horribly clear indication of a Faustian pact in Hollywood.

No. At least Freddy Got Fingered sticks in the mind; this is just lazy. Jason Lee — exercise more quality control. Tom Green — just go away.
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