The Benchwarmers (2006)

A trio of guys try and make up for missed opportunities in childhood by forming a three-player baseball team to compete against standard children baseball squads.

Director:

Dennis Dugan

Writers:

Allen Covert, Nick Swardson

Stars:

Rob Schneider, David Spade, Jon Heder

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rob Schneider	...	Gus
David Spade	...	Richie
Jon Heder	...	Clark
Jon Lovitz	...	Mel
Craig Kilborn	...	Jerry
Molly Sims	...	Liz
Tim Meadows	...	Wayne
Nick Swardson	...	Howie
Erinn Bartlett	...	Salad Girl / Sarah
Amaury Nolasco	...	Carlos
Bill Romanowski	...	Karl
Sean Salisbury	...	Brad
Matt Weinberg	...	Kyle
John Farley	...	Swimmer Boy
Reggie Jackson	...	Himself

Storyline

Three guys, all their lives, have been living in the shadow of bullies and are determined not to take it anymore. Now they must train with the help of Mel to take on the most offensive and meanest youth baseball teams.

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Plot Keywords:

team | baseball | bully | baseball team | friend | 

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Taglines:

When push comes to shove... they'll have to settle their problems like men.

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Genres:

Comedy | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for crude and suggestive humor, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Bankdrücker

Filming Locations:

Chino Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$56,316 (South Africa) (28 July 2006)

Gross:

$119,286 (South Africa) (28 July 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revolution Studios, Happy Madison Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min 75 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Fairy Jerry" is an inside joke in the town of Agoura.

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Goofs

During one of the away games Number 7 (the robot) is delivering newspapers a couple scenes later he is in the dugout.

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Quotes

Mel: Richie, do you have any kids?
Richie: Never had a date.
Mel: Clark?
Clark: Never spoke to a girl.
Mel: Gu-Gus?
Gus: Ugh, My wife and I are kinda working on it.

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Connections

References Me, Myself & Irene (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Blister in the Sun"
Written by Gordon Gano
Performed by Violent Femmes
Courtesy of London-Sire Records Inc. / Slash Records
By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

One of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time!

I can't figure out why everyone's being so hard on this movie. It isn't often I can go to a comedy at the theater and actually laugh out loud. However, when I saw this movie this weekend, I wasn't the only one who was laughing, and I mean often. There were times the audience was laughing so much I had trouble hearing the dialog.

This is, simply put, a movie about three guys, almost over the hill, who decide to play some baseball against real Little League teams in the state. It's not about some grand scheme, it's not about the glory, it's about standing up for those who were always picked last in gym, always called names for not being athletic, it's about the little guy and standing up for the underdog.

I have seen other critiques of this movie and people are complaining about the plot line, the dialog, you name it, there's something wrong with it. Don't go to the movie expecting to see any Oscar moments, they simply aren't there. If all you really want a good laugh though, go see this movie. Bill Romanowski plays a character who makes fun of his "roid rage" while he played football. Jon Heder is "almost" Napolean Dynamite, similar voice, but the character is funnier. David Spade has some issues in his personal life that really steal the show (Think Gir in Invader Zim).

I don't want to say too much more about the movie because it would give away something hilarious. As far as being a waste of my money, I plan to go to a matinée this week so I can see it in a less crowded theater and hear the dialog I missed. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD so I can watch it several more times.

At the end of the movie, the theater cut off the credits for some reason and the people in the audience fussed until they turned them back on. Not a single person left until the last line had rolled on the credits (also funny, stay and watch them).

This is one hilarious movie and it's "...freakin' awesome!"