The Man (2005)

11% of critics liked it
(101 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(84,072 ratings)

Les Mayfield directs Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy in the buddy action comedy The Man. Jackson plays ATF agent Derrick Vann. His partner, who it turns out was corrupt, has been killed after a cache of guns were stolen from the ATF office in Detroit. Internal affairs believe Derrick was in on the… More Les Mayfield directs Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy in the buddy action comedy The Man. Jackson plays ATF agent Derrick Vann. His partner, who it turns out was corrupt, has been killed after a cache of guns were stolen from the ATF office in Detroit. Internal affairs believe Derrick was in on the gun theft, forcing him to go off on his own to bring the bad guys to justice. Dental supply salesman Andy Fiddler (Levy) happens to be in Detroit for a business convention. During the course of figuring out who is responsible for his partner's death, Derrick arrests Andy because of a miscommunication. Soon the hard-edged law enforcer and the meek businessman team up to extricate themselves from their life-threatening predicament. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Les Mayfield
Written By: Stephen Carpenter, Margaret Oberman, Jim Piddock, Steve Carpenter
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 9, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Jan 17, 2006
Studio: New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
So tired.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
In Roy Orbison terms, enduring this movie is like working for The Man.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
At what point do you know that a movie isn't just bad, it's off-the-scale, surrender-all-hope, no-turning-back bad?
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The Man arrives in theaters today with a sheet over its head and a tag on its toe.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
The chattering salesman and the curse-crazy cop never click, but they have their moments.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
Unfortunately the movie is pretty trashy itself, getting most of its laughs from Jackson's habit of interrogating people by running them down in his car and then beating them with a phone book.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Sad excuse for a buddy cop movie, not for younger teens.
Kam Williams, Princeton Town Topics
A derivative, readily-forgettable insult to the intelligence!
Kam Williams, Upstage Magazine
A derivative, readily-forgettable insult to the intelligence.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...watered-down and egregiously silly...
Michael Szymanski, Wordmag.com
Jackson seems to get better with age...
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
If the fart jokes had been cut out, if the ultimate identity were less of an anticlimax, if Levy had had some context, if Jackson showed the slightest rapport with his co-star... No, it's no good; The Man is a dud. Move along people, nothing to see here.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
Only Levy gets out of this one looking good.
Jeffrey Bruner, Des Moines Register
A clever idea that wears thin long before the movie ends.
Ethan Alter, Film Journal International
While both actors are too professional to simply phone their performances in, they must have realized early on that they were fighting a losing battle against the material.
Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat
I haven't seen such meaningful insight into the nature of human cooperation since this morning's Sesame Street.
Shawn Adler, IGN Movies
Utterly and fantastically boring and totally without purpose.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
There's nothing here you haven't seen elsewhere.
Marrit Ingman, Austin Chronicle
It's not dreadful, but the movie is executed with total indifference, as if its creators are working from a checklist.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

I hadn't had great expectations for this film but was pleasantly surprised by some of it's hilarious content. Eugine Levy provides non stop laughter and the relationship between him and Samuel L Jackson throughout the film, reminded me much of the film "Midnight… More
I hadn't had great expectations for this film but was pleasantly surprised by some of it's hilarious content. Eugine Levy provides non stop laughter and the relationship between him and Samuel L Jackson throughout the film, reminded me much of the film "Midnight Run"
KJ P

probably one of the worst films starring samuel L. jackson! this movie blows majorly.
Wahida K

<center>Obey The Rules... Or Die Laughing.</center> The day I laughed my Butt off was the day when I saw this Movie, it is incredibly funny. Christ never laughed so hard before watching a Movie with Samuel L. Jackson. If you think this Movie is an Action Movie you are… More
<center>Obey The Rules... Or Die Laughing.</center> The day I laughed my Butt off was the day when I saw this Movie, it is incredibly funny. Christ never laughed so hard before watching a Movie with Samuel L. Jackson. If you think this Movie is an Action Movie you are wrong! Yes there is a tiny bit of action! But most of the time LOL even the end didnt have mercy for to take a Breath. InTheBasket
Film C

excellent really funny and exciting clearly eugene levy his character gets on samual l jacksons characters nerves and its funny that he tries and shuts him up its reli funny
Claire L

i saw this on the airplane
Al S

One very entertaining comedy. Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy are the most unpredictable, most funny and most entertaining buddy team in years. The chemistry between the two actors are great. Uproarsly funny. It's total cant beat fun
Daniel D

I can understand why people don't like it but IMO it was a really funny movie.
William G

Generically lame buddy cop comedy.
ashley h

Funny rental
R?o?d?r?i?g?o? R

It's a fun movie with a story and something simple but it works well.
Janice :

A few funny jokes, but not worth it.
Stefan P

I like both Jackson and Levy and this movie mixes my favourite genres action and comedy. Despite this it's only decent.
Haley A

Eugene Levy is hilarious, as usual.