Overview
A cynical ad man finds his world turned upside down when his naive nephew seeks his guidance in the dating scene.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sardonic
- raunchy
- late night viewing
- indie comedy night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the sharp script and strong performances, especially Jesse Eisenberg and Campbell Scott, while noting some first-feature directorial limitations.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Roger works as an advertising copywriter and uses razor-sharp conversational manipulation throughout the Manhattan nightlife.
Roger presents sexual mastery as an identity while his behavior reveals isolation and a fragile ego.
Roger leads Nick through an all-night crash course across Manhattan bars and nightlife venues.
Roger attempts to teach Nick seduction, but Nick's innocence and emotional openness challenge Roger's assumptions.
Films like Roger Dodger, and why
The Last Days of Disco
witty, sexually frank comedy of manners centered on male insecurity and urban relationships
Kicking and Screaming
sharp dialogue, youthful sexual confusion, and bittersweet examination of self-invention
High Fidelity
adult romantic alienation, neurotic masculinity, and comic discomfort in a major city
The Graduate
coming-of-age awkwardness mixed with raunchy humor and emotional vulnerability
Movie Details
- Director
- Dylan Kidd
- Release Date
- 2002-05-09
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (215)
Cast
- Campbell Scott
- Jesse Eisenberg
- Isabella Rossellini
- Elizabeth Berkley
- Jennifer Beals
- Morena Baccarin
- Mina Badie
- Ato Essandoh
- Peter Appel
- Ben Shenkman
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Roger Dodger about?
- A cynical Manhattan ad man turns his teenage nephew's first night of dating into an unexpectedly revealing lesson in loneliness, desire, and male insecurity.
- What is Roger Dodger like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Roger Dodger as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Roger Dodger violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Roger Dodger as mild.
- What did critics think of Roger Dodger?
- Critics broadly praised the sharp script and strong performances, especially Jesse Eisenberg and Campbell Scott, while noting some first-feature directorial limitations.
- Which films are like Roger Dodger?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Days of Disco, Kicking and Screaming, High Fidelity, and The Graduate.
- How long is Roger Dodger?
- Roger Dodger runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Roger Dodger?
- In United States, Roger Dodger streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel.
