Slackers (2002)

10% of critics liked it
(105 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(27,782 ratings)

Three lifelong cheaters wise up in this gross-out college comedy, which marks the second feature role for Rushmore star Jason Schwartzman. It's the last semester of senior year for roomies Dave (Devon Sawa), Sam (Jason Segel), and Jeff (Michael C. Maronna), a trio of twenty-somethings whose… More Three lifelong cheaters wise up in this gross-out college comedy, which marks the second feature role for Rushmore star Jason Schwartzman. It's the last semester of senior year for roomies Dave (Devon Sawa), Sam (Jason Segel), and Jeff (Michael C. Maronna), a trio of twenty-somethings whose enthusiasm for higher learning is matched only by their enthusiasm for root canals performed without the aid of anesthesia. As such, their entire collegiate existence has been an elaborate series of cons and scams designed to plagiarize essays, skip midterms, and covertly manipulate bell curves. When deranged geek Ethan (Schwartzman) -- who harbors a psychotic fixation for a flaxen-haired co-ed named Angela (James King) -- gets wind of their scheming, he blackmails Dave and the gang into contriving a date between him and his crush. But as Dave cozies up to Angela, he realizes that no amount of scheming can hide the fact that he's the one that's truly in love. Slackers went by a number of working titles while in production at the ill-fated upstart Destination Films; when Destination went belly-up, the film sat on the shelf for over a year before being picked up for release by Sony's Screen Gems division. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Dewey Nicks
Written By: David H. Steinberg
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 1, 2002 Wide
On DVD: May 28, 2002
Studio: Screen Gems

Critic Reviews

Robert Koehler, Variety
This debut for helmer and vid vet Dewey Nicks and scribe David H. Steinberg, a feverishly naughty revenge comedy, is awful and subversively spunky at the same time.
Mark Holcomb, Village Voice
Nicks and Steinberg match their own creations for pure venality -- that's giving it the old college try.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
Airs the same kind of randy, testosterone-fueled humor that has been a staple of comedies about college party guys since Animal House.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
[I]t may be the first movie ever targeted to John Hinkley, about the only person I can see as the target audience.
, USA Today
There are laughs here, but easily as many groans.
Paul Tatara, CNN.com
The footage seems to have been tossed into the air and randomly reassembled when it hit the ground.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
good acting, nothing much more
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
It's several good jokes, a whole lot of character development and some skilled direction away from crossing the line from moronic to crudely inspired.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I found myself laughing a lot.
Derek Adams, Time Out
If it's unlikely to stimulate the brain cells, it will almost certainly make you laugh out loud.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...should have been a lot better.
Jim Shelby, Palo Alto Weekly
This may be a vaguely gratifying rent someday if you are intrigued with Schwartzman's early movies. He'll surely be around for a while.
Marrit Ingman, Austin Chronicle
The less said about this, the better.
Tom Grealis, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
You really have to wonder how on earth anyone, anywhere could have thought they'd make audiences guffaw with a script as utterly diabolical as this.
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
Isn't it a pity when the best words a film critic can say about a movie are 'not an absolute bomb'?
Manohla Dargis, L.A. Weekly
Calculated swill.
Michael Dequina, Film Threat
Ultimately as generic as its title.
Stephen Farber, Movieline
It turns out to be a cut above the norm, thanks to some clever writing and sprightly acting.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
It's elevated into watchability thanks to the presence of Jason Schwartzman and some inspired off-the-wall moments amongst the smutty gags.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
There is so much wrong with Slackers, it may be more efficient simply to point out the one acceptable ingredient: Jason Schwartzman.

Read all 23 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Coxxie M

Jason Schwartzman. thats it.
Christopher H

There is a flavor to this film, designated to a distinct group of people. I am one of those people. The cast is a compilation of favorite comics that spans over several generations: Jason Segel (Freaks & Geeks, How I Met Your Mother), Laura Prepon (That 70's Show), Michael C.… More
There is a flavor to this film, designated to a distinct group of people. I am one of those people. The cast is a compilation of favorite comics that spans over several generations: Jason Segel (Freaks & Geeks, How I Met Your Mother), Laura Prepon (That 70's Show), Michael C. Maronna (Adventures of Pete & Pete), and of course, Jason Schwartzman, who appears to have almost built this part for himself. For a college kid comedy, "Slackers" is everything I wanted it to be.
Marcus W

Devon Sawa is a slacker who falls in love with a girl, girl then finds out he's been up to something and this is twisted so it...I'm bored of talking about the plot. Let's move onto characters: high school "slackers" who get away with lots of stuff and Jason… More
Devon Sawa is a slacker who falls in love with a girl, girl then finds out he's been up to something and this is twisted so it...I'm bored of talking about the plot. Let's move onto characters: high school "slackers" who get away with lots of stuff and Jason Schwartzman playing a guy who goes beyond creepy to plain dislikable and weird - and not in a good way. I think I laughed once if that's any recommendation, but it might have been about something else.
Sunil J

Jason Schwartzman's really really bad move.
Leo L

Love this movie!

Cast

            Devon Sawa as Dave

            Jason Schwartzman as Ethan

            James King as Angela

            Jason Segel as Sam

            Michael C. Maronna as Jeff

            Laura Prepon as Reanna

            Sam Anderson as Charles Patton

            Leigh Taylor-Young as Valerie Patton

            Joe Flaherty as Mr. Leonard

            Jim Rash as Philip

            Charles Dougherty as Anatomy Professor

            Gina Gershon as Woman in bar (Uncredited)

            Jon Kasdan as Barry

            Wesley Mann as Male Executive

            Michael McDonald as Economics Professor1

            Mamie Van Doren as Mrs. Van Graaf

            Gedde Watanabe as Japanese Proctor

            Howard Mungo as Doctor

            Marilyn Staley as Singing Waitress

            Cameron Diaz as Movie Star

            Joanna Sanchez as Nurse

            Tom Retta as Office Manager

            Todd Giebenhain as Stoned Testtaker

            Don Michaelson as Professor Markoe

            Heidi Kramer as Hottie #1

            Japhet "J.P." Coe as Phillip

            Travis Davis as Airborne Driver

            Shelley Dowdy as Shelley

            Rick Dubov as Security Guard

            Margaret Easley as Receptionist

            Mary Faulkner as Female Executive

            Nat Faxon as Karl

            Jason Garner as Singing Waiter

            Alissa Kramer as Hottie #2

            Robert B. Martin Jr. as The Gimp

            Kim Stanwood as Dave's Mom

            Michael Swiney as Homeless Guy

            Melanie Deanne Moore as Pissed Off Co-Ed

            Jaime King
            
See full cast