Review of Drillbit Taylor

There are worse ways to pass the time than to watch this Owen Wilson vehicle, but then there are also much better ways, even within Wilson’s own back catalogue.

In this film his inept titular character is hired by three heavily bullied kids to be their bodyguard to protect them from the overly vile Filkins, a bully whose motives remain unclear throughout the movie. And during this employment, Drillbit realises his own flaws and tries to overcome them for love.

So far, so average. And that’s what this film is in spades. Average.
I am a big fan of Wilson’s brand of hero - aloof and dim but usually genuine. For me, this is where this particular movie falls down. You don’t especially care for Drillbit and his actions paint a much vicious character for Wilson than you’re used to. Given his central role as the “loveable rogue” something about it just doesn’t work (especially in those moments where his behaviour causes the kids to be physically hurt.)

Of course, Drillbit does come through by the end of the movie and the horrible bully gets his comeuppance, but as the credits roll you can’t help but switch it off and instantly forget it, so little is there in substance to remember.