Customer Reviews

The Ladies Man

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I came to appreciate this movie a little more after a second viewing. Sure, it's a really, really dumb movie, and Tim Meadows' Saturday Night Live character Leon Phelps, aka The Ladies' Man, is stretched just about as far as he can be without snapping, but there are laughs to be found here, and the film really isn't as raunchy as you might think. Leon Phelps is the perpetual 70s swinger who dispenses all of his wisdom in the ways of love on his own late night radio program. A lot of that wisdom involves some rather unsavory advice, most of it involving "da butt" in some fashion, and Leon soon finds himself out of work alongside his attractive producer Julie (Karyn Parsons, who turns in a pretty impressive performance). Unable to find a new radio job, Leon's troubles only increase when his womanizing ways make him the target of a group of men looking for the guy who seduced all their wives. SNL's Will Farrel turns in a particularly memorable performance as the ring leader of the group and a really, really devoted Greco-Roman wrestler whose wife somehow doesn't understand his need to get oiled up and practice wrestling day and night with his friend Bryan. With so much going on in his life, will Leon find the answer to all his money woes with a "Sweet Thing" from his past (if he can only remember which one of his former ladies she is), or will true love sneak up on him and make him a changed man?

The Ladies' Man features some notable names in its cast list: e.g., Tiffani Amber-Thiessen, Julianne Moore (in an inexplicable little cameo), and the ultimate ladies' man himself, Billie Dee Williams. Billie Dee's presence lends a sense of class that is altogether missing without him, although he does play a prominent role in an unforgettable and hilarious practical joke of pretty crude proportions. When it comes right down to it, The Ladies' Man must be judged in terms of its comedic aspects, and I have to say I found the movie quite funny. If you found Tim Meadows' Ladies Man character on Saturday Night Live funny, odds are you will enjoy this movie.

Leon Phelps, (Tim Meadows) the self proclaimed sex guru and woman extraordinare who hosts a Chicago radio show just giving advice on sex is in for it... A support group for the spouses and boyfriends of women he has cheated with has even been started and they are on a mission, to find the man they call "The Man With the Smiley Ass Tatoo." once they have accomplished this, supporting actor Lance DeLune (Will Ferell), olympic wrestler and apparently gay leader of the group, has a goal to rid Leon of his extremedies. This movie is absolutely hillarious, it depicts Leon and the troubles his on air obscenities get him into, such as being fired and fired once again and rejected and rejected and rejected from job after job after job. Leon and his beautiful assistant cannot seem to find work anywhere and furthermore, Leon is unable to pay for his houseboat which he has dubbed his "Skanktuary". But just when it seems like Leon has hist rock bottom, a miracle happens, he receives a letter from his "Sweet Thing" which is what he calls every woman, who says she is very rich and wants to run away with Leon because she so loved the times they shared together. The only problem is Leon has no idea who his sweet thing is and must set out on a quest to find her. If you love the SNL skit, you are positively sure to love this, but even if you have never seen the SNL skit, you are positively sure to love this; unless of course, you are among the few who hate crude and sexual humor... Then you will hate this. This film really does not have a deep plot, and this is good every once in a while. To relax and watch a funny, easy movie is, at times, much more fun than watching an academy award picture, AND THIS IS DEFINITLEY ONE OF THEM!!!!

I really tried to like this movie, but I could never get past about the 20 minute mark (I rented it on three different occasions). Tim Meadows' Leon Phelps is funny in small doses, but does not work in sustaining an entire movie.

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!

I have always been a fan of SNL, but there films made about skit characters have always been a little disappointing. There are a few exceptions. The Ladies Man was never one of my favorite characters, but my wife always thought it was a funny skit. The film is nothing more than a stretched out skit from SNL, but it does have a few funny moments, mostly due to funny man John Witherspoon. The pickled bar food eating scene is a riot! Ladies Man isn't going to become a classic, but for fans of the skit, this will probably entertain you for its hour and twenty minute running time.

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'?

I liked Night at the Roxbury better than this. Of course that was a great movie though. So this is funny but do we ever get an actual story in any of these Lorne Michael's movies? Funny jokes are good but I just wish it was an actual movie and not a bad SNL skit. Highlights of the movie are the fake but still great looking Tiffany Amber Thiesen and Will Ferrel as the wrestler. Good movie to kill about 30 minutes or so on.

This movie is filled with hysterical, yet typical, SNL one-liners and quick witt. If you've enjoyed Mr. Meadows on SNL, you HAVE to see this movie. Tim Meadows is Leon Phelps, a DJ who provides extreme advice to listeners. After a run of bad luck, he is terminated from his job and must find a past lover who will make him rich. His search is long and hilarious. This 90 minute movie will have you slipping out of your seat from comedic relief. It's sexual refrences and regular pimp like scenerios remind us that we all know someone like Leon. It could be our boyfriend, father, uncle, cousin, friend from the local bar, or even your own brother. If you're looking for something to make you cry with laughter rent or buy this movie. It's the best SNL movie. Underrated by critics, this movie will have you in a good mood for days.

Tim Meadows is the Ladies Man, the radio DJ love talk man and his goal, to please every woman he meets. And to also try and give us all a laugh.

O.k. I gotta say it, unfortunately the Ladies Man isn't one of Meadows' strongest SNL characters. In all honesty, when I saw this movie in the theaters, I basically thought that it was going to be like Austin Powers but instead it was weak character with no Action and reused and recycled sexual humor that got boring after a while.

That and the musical number to fund and beat the Ladies Man to death really cheapened the already played out in 10 minutes movie. By doing the little musical number, the movie just strung itself along until the end credits.

I really wouldn't suggest this movie because it's not as funny as some of the other SNL spin off characters. Molly Shannon's SUPERSTAR, Will Ferrel and Chris Kattan's NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY and who could forget Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in WAYNE'S WORLD? Those are 3 more preferrable SNL movies. Normally I love the work Tim Meadows does but this was just not a good movie for him. I gave it an extra star for a reason, it ended.

A True Classic. Many people don't like these SNL spin off movies, however, "The Ladies Man" really delievers. If you like "A Night at the Roxburry" then you will like this movie as well. Tim Meadows plays one of the most memoriable characters to ever come out of the storied show. All "Hillary" from "Fresh Prince" plays Meadow's love intrest in the movie as does Tiffani Amber Thieson (or however you spell her name). So with those 2 90s TV icons this movie is a no brainer. Buy it right now.