Van Wilder

from Film Forum, 04/11/02

National Lampoon's Van Wilder is one of those movies that makes me glad I am not required to see very movie that I mention in this column. It follows the lowbrow antics of a college senior who pays his tuition with profits he earns from his own parties. Reactions from critics in both the religious and mainstream press make it clear—avoid this one at all costs.

The USCCB critic asks, "Can a film sink any lower? Save your money."

Mary Draughon (Preview) says, "Disgusting, gross bathroom humor permeates nearly every scene."

Phil Boatwright (Movie Reporter) calls it "93 minutes of vulgarity."

Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) writes, "Only in the movies is a wasteful slacker with a major lack of ambition held in such esteem. Van Wilder shows himself to be a first class loser. The same can be said of the film which bears his name."

Mainstream critics turned up their noses. Ebert writes, "Laughter for me was such a physical impossibility during Van Wilder that had I not been pledged to sit through the film, I would have fled."