Search - The Ladies Man on DVD

"The Ladies LOVE Leon Phelps!"

Monty Moonlight | TX | 09/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The under-appreciated, extremely talented Tim Meadows finally got his moment in the big screen spotlight with 2000's "The Ladies Man." The film may not have been a commercial hit, but in terms of delivering good-hearted, somewhat risque laughs, it's a huge success. Naturally, Tim plays Leon Phelps, his popular Saturday Night Live character aptly dubbed, "The Ladies' Man." Perhaps to avoid repetition from earlier SNL theatrical outings, in the movie Leon is made the host of a radio call-in show, rather than a television show as in the well-known Saturday Night Live skits. Nothing else has changed, however, as Leon is still the same light-hearted, lisping, clueless swinger, with the right answers to all your romantic queries. Unfortunately, Leon's answers are often flat out wrong, not to mention highly offensive. And when his keen interest in "da butt" gets him in trouble one time too many, he and his producer, Julie Simmons (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's Karyn Parsons), find themselves on the search for a new radio station to work for. Leon is sidetracked from the seemingly hopeless job-hunt, however, when a letter from a mystery woman promises to solve his money problems forever. If only he knew which of his many past "Sweet Things" the letter was from! And this isn't the sum of our leading man's problems. Leon is also being hunted down by an armed organization of vengeful husbands, the "Victims of the Smiling Ass." It seems that Leon has a habit of including unsatisfied, married women amongst his many conquests, and the smiley face tattoo on his derriere is the only clue the V.S.A. has to his identity, but that will change before the story is over. Leon will find himself having to confront the vicious mob, his unwillingness to take on responsibility, and his feelings for his disenchanted producer, Julie, all at the same time!

In the end, everything works out well for Leon, if rather inexplicably. But that's not the important thing. As with so many other films centered around outrageous characters like Leon Phelps, the main focus is the humor of the quirky personality in the starring role, not the plot. Leon's hilarious appearance, speech impediment, and outlook on life are the reasons to watch "The Ladies Man," and they're so entertaining that they are reason enough! The supporting cast is nothing to gloss over, though. As with any SNL movie, the film is studded with cameos and spot-on casting choices for the purpose of getting the most "ha" out of your "ha-has." The legendary Billy Dee (Lando) Williams is outstanding as the smooth talking bartender/narrator who recounts a back-story for Leon that fits the character to the bill. John Witherspoon never fails to crack me up, as he does here in the very funny role of "Scrap Iron." Lee Evans of "Mouse Hunt" is a personal fave too, and a couple of "Kids In the Hall" alumni also make the scene! Of course, Will Ferrell is a comedic genius, even in the old comedy standby of a closet homosexual hiding behind machismo. Sure, it's a cliche, but Ferrell seems to know it, and makes it funny for that very reason! As funny and charismatic as they all are, though, this movie belongs entirely to Tim Meadows. This is HIS baby, and it's well worth picking up for repeat enjoyment. The DVD is practically bare bones, but it does include some cast and crew interviews, a theatrical trailer, and is presented in widescreen format, and those are the important things. Highly recommended for a night of laughs, time and time again!"

Shameless...but...

Andrew Ellington | I'm kind of everywhere | 02/09/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I don't get the hype around Tim Meadows (is there hype?). I mean, he's okay, but some people claim him to be this hilarious comic. Sadly, I've never really found his acting to be all that funny, and this movie isn't really an exception. He has his moments, but as a whole, this film is rather dull, and he doesn't do anything to save it any. My sisters (questionable taste to say the least) love this movie and Meadows in it (I've never seen people laugh so hard at things I found blandly unfunny) but, well.

Like I said, it's shameless...but (there's that dreaded `but').

This film centers around Meadows' character Leon Phelps, a sex-addict who works as a sex advice radio personality until he goes too far one too many times and winds up fired. His boss is fired alongside him, and while she struggles to find him another job, Leon finds himself distracted by the pursuit of a former flame who is boundlessly wealthy, offering her wealth in exchange for his loving.

I agree with some who say that, in the films second hour, things get better. The plot (if you can call it that) is somewhat forgotten and the comedy starts to flow a little better (in a slapstick, SHAMELESS kind of way). Even though the laughs are never as uproarious as we would expect from a film that offers NO intelligence whatsoever (this isn't a smart movie, so it should at least embrace its camp trashiness and give us loads of funny, right?) the laughs do come towards the end.

I mean, Will Ferrell may be nothing more than a shameless stereotype here, but his song and dance (literal and figurative) is the best part of the film for me (and that wrestling, LOL).

It's nice to see Karyn Parsons toss out her Hilary persona (yes, from `Fresh Prince of Bel Air) but she seems somewhat out of place here (her character is the only seemingly normal and or sympathetic, yet obviously stupid in love, in the whole cast). Tiffani Amber Thiessen (yes, KELLY FROM SAVED BY THE BELL) so totally hot and bothered in this movie, and I almost recommend it just for her presence in the films conclusion, but even her allure isn't enough to make me do that.

This is dumb, and pointless, and sadly bland for the most part (the radio bits are hilarious in their absurdity, but apart from that the film is rather monotone until the conclusion). I don't give it an F, because, well, it's not THAT bad, but a D feels about right.

Don't you hate the `but'?"