The New Guy

A dismal high school comedy, directed by the co-writer of the crudely hilarious There's Something About Mary. Unpopular geek Dizzy (Qualls) reinvents himself with the help of some prison dudes. As ever, there's a girl to be won (Dushku), a parent (Lovett) to displease, and friends to be dumped and reclaimed. If the film lacks surprise, it's also charmless, from the stock characters - midgets, fat kids, jocks, dweebs and cheerleaders - and awkward cameos, to its misuse of a promising cast. Dushku shakes her booty and waves her pom-poms, but to no avail.