The Ladies Man is a funny movie. There's not much thought behind it, but what do you expect from an SNL movie? It's actually better than most SNL movies (i.e. Superstar or A Night At The Roxbury) Tim Meadows and Will Ferrell were both very funny. Chris Parnell was also funny in his short scene (one of the funnier ones in the movie). Other than that, the rest of the cast is average and is just there to support Meadows. I've definitely seen funnier movies, but I've seen dumber ones too. Again, it's not exactly a deep movie, but it's good for a few laughs. It was funnier as a skit though. But still, if you're looking for a pretty funny movie, I'd recommend this one. Just don't think about it too much, or you'll hate it.

Rating: 6/10

The fact that The Ladies Man originated from a skit on Saturday Night Live should surprise no one who has seen and disliked the film. The film feels exactly like a character who belongs in skits roughly five to eight minutes long, who will occasionally say something funny in those five to eight minutes, and then end on a comic-bang before the screenwriter decides to cut over to another sketch. The sad thing about The Ladies Man is it focuses on its title character (played by a clearly inspired Tim Meadows) for eighty long, often tedious minutes, completely deluding the character's comic effect because it must be referenced with almost every line he says.

I've discussed how tedious and often frustratingly unfunny Saturday Night Live films can often be (I wrote a whole blog on it three years back, so that should give an idea of how opinionated I was). Their main complaint links most of their films (with notable exceptions of the Wayne's World titles) in that they have difficultly giving their character's antics enough to do for a film's runtime. "The Ladies Man" character already has enough energy to be in a eighty minute film, but does he have the humor, plot, and charisma capabilities of carrying such precious minutes? How far does a sexist, afro-rockin' radio host go? The answer is not very far, but the film is at least buoyed by the competence and appeal of Tim Meadows, who can do no wrong in films as far as I'm concerned. His presence is casual and his attitude often laidback, even when he's playing a character as tiresome as this one. He plays Leon "The Ladies Man" Phelps, a studly black radio host who is known for his outspoken sexism on air during his nighttime show where he gives female callers shallow advice about relationships. The first thirty minutes of the film show his attitude and serve as nothing but a showcase for redundant jokes akin to that of modern Saturday Night Life sketches.

When the story finally does get going, it's lame and serves more as filler than as a significant plot. It follows a man who finds his wife cheating on him, only to spot a naked black man running outside his home with a smiley face tattooed on his rear. Turns out, there is a website dedicated to finding this man and a group of angry husbands meet up to try and track down the man who pleasures their wives. The result is a tiresome array of unfunny marital jokes and a predictable but slightly catchy song and dance number.

Tim Meadows (who serves as co-write on this film) is clearly inspired when playing "The Ladies Man." His personality is always energetic and here he plays a character he completely created and "perfected" himself. There is a genuine sense of fun and comfortableness when playing this role. The issue is that "The Ladies Man" is so thin and uninteresting as a character that he's more of an idea. In that regard, Meadows does a great job at playing an idea.

I return full circle to my point that I made in the beginning that stated that the films focuses on a character that feels exactly like he belongs in concise skits on Television. It's no surprise that after about fifteen minutes of laughing with and at the character, I began to be burdened with feelings of tedium. This only influences my point that a character with this personality belongs in shorts seventy-five minutes shorter than the film The Ladies Man.

Starring: Tim Meadows, Karyn Parsons, Billy Dee Williams, John Witherspoon, Will Ferrell, and Eugene Levy. Directed by: Reginald Hudlin.

I picked up the DVD a few weeks ago and finally got to see the whole film.

This film is hilarious! There were so many WTF!! moments... ;D It helps if you just accept this as a screwball comedy from the get-go. Characters break the fourth wall early on, so that's something to keep in mind.

Tim Meadows plays Leon, a Chicago-based late-night radio talk show host, "The Ladies' Man", who focuses on love & romance related issues. He's popular, but controversial, as his on-air commentaries are frequently raunchy and ribald. One evening, the station manager (Eugene Levy) has had enough and he fires Leon and his producer (played by Karyn Parsons of TV's "Fresh Prince"). In the meanwhile, a strange all-male support group plots to track down Leon for, shall we say, making them cuckolds. The leader of the group is played by fellow Saturday Night Live alumnus Will Ferrell.

Tim Meadow's Leon is clueless, moronic and sex-obsessed, but also a decent guy, deep down. His portrayal is of a man that is grossly out of touch with reality, yet obtusely hidden gems of wisdom can be found within his crude radio commentaries.

The story of being the adopted son of Hugh Hefner was nuts! We never find out whether it was true or not-- a cameo by the real Hugh Hefner would have been cool.

Billy Dee Williams as Lester.. spot on! (And at first I thought he might be Leon's real dad.) Did I miss any Colt 45 product placement? ...Here's the always reliable John Witherspoon ("scrap iron"? LOL...) ...and of course the director as Leon's tailor! Karyn Parsons.. so lovely, and amiable as the straight woman to Tim's antics as Leon. (she needs another TV show!) Tiffani Thiessen... I admired her from afar on Saved By the Bell, but... wow... (repeat: she needs another TV show!) ...The woman who plays Candy.. I'd swear I've heard her voice before..

Will Ferrell does so much here it's insane... He pretty much takes over every scene he's in.. the first VSA meeting is gold...

The song and dance sequence.. who did the choreography? The bar food challenge was one of the most hilarious-- and disgusting-- segments in the movie!! ... there was a whole lot of liquor consumed in this film-- or maybe it was really iced tea or something? ...So many left field appearances lend to the pleasantly surreal atmosphere of the narrative. Tamala Jones.. nice!! Julianne Moore.... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????? Then Julianne Moore in a clown outfit...?!!!!!!!!?!?!??! ... I wonder what was involved in decorating Leon's funky houseboat digs? (and where'd that remote control come from? , LOL) You'll enjoy this film whether you rent it, buy it or stream it.

Tim Meadows is an underrated, underused talent, especially considering his long tenure on Saturday Night Live. This film only received modest returns at the box office, but it is definitely worth checking out.