Billy Bob Thornton: 5 Awesome Performances & 5 That Sucked
2. Morris Buttermaker - Bad News Bears
Buttermaker is another one of those jerk roles Billy Bob was offered after Bad Santa, and just like Mr. Woodcock he doesnt look all that jazzed about it. And he shouldnt be either, with the film being a lazy remake of the original with some raunchier jokes added in; but nothing too raunchy, since the film is aimed at teens. Billy Bob is content to recycle his Willie Stokes routine, and with a lack of solid gags to back him up hes left stranded. The child actors arent much better, and its really hard to root for any of the characters to succeed. Bad News Bears was a rare leap into mainstream waters for director Richard Linklater, who was clearly going after the same audience that embraced School Of Rock. Unfortunately, whatever magic worked there disappeared when he made this, and both he and Thornton were just going through the motions until the check cleared.
