'Big Stan' stoops as low as you can go

Big Stan
Cast: Rob Schneider, David Carradine, M Emmet Walsh
Director: Rob Schneider
Rating: *

There's no doubting that Rob Schneider has ambitions much bigger than his talent. All his comedies have been degenerate and unpalatable. This one, Big Stan crosses the limit that even he set.

An egotistical real estate salesman, Stan is finally on the dock for his many swindles. His main problem is not the fear of going to prison but the fear of being raped in prison. In fact the entire film is structured around this flimsy, retrograde premise.

Stan manages to get a six-month reprieve from the court thanks to his wily defence lawyer (M Emmett Walsh) and uses that time to undergo training in Kung-fu from martial arts guru (David Carradine). Back in prison he has to deal with the unexpected in the form of corrupt warden (Scott Wilson).

This provides ample scope for many butt-happy dialogues. Stan's attempt to clean-up the prison appears unconvincing. Frankly, Schneider lovers cannot claim to have any illusions about their favourite star. A crooked inmate to social worker transition is just not happening in this context.

All Schneider wants is to make as much money as he possibly can from such clichéd and unpalatable nonsense. So what if he has to pulverise the audience with inanities and insensitivity. This movie is most likely to drive you up the wall!