Great Film-Making

I think this movie is on par with many scenes that Orson Wells directed in Citizen Kane, with unique angle shots, and attenton to detail in every scene, etc. Though critics often overlook the crude story over style.


Let's use the poop scene as analysis. http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=IjkFZEIoatY
I think we can't overlook the genius of the filmaking of this scene. On par with the complex reactions of backround charecters, sound, and excellent performance by Daniel Cosgrove. Crude matter yes, but very much in depth. For example, at 158, listen, you hear someone moan after the fart. I thought it was someone disgusted at Richard, but it was Richard. Right before he took those breaths, he just about had it under control, but then he (and I believe) let a little turd out from the sound of it. He knew he was done and he wasn't going to Northwestern after that. He wasn't the *beep* just *beep* Thats all displayed in that pitiful moan.
Then there's the surprise moan. (Right when he first farts, it slips and the moan, thanks to Cosgrove's performance, clearly says "What the fu**?) he thinks it may just be cramping up of stress, but he knows something is wrong. Then the squishy farts that first follow is the embarrassment ( look at face) that as the president of the fraternity, everybody knows that he in fact does poop, no doubt, and that his poop stinks.
The scenes of Van are a counter to Richard, the slacker who we all thought would never graduate is finally coming on top, whereas Richard may be at college for another semester lol
On careful analysis, you can determine that the background characters are in fact not merely taking the test. They react to the pooping sounds. Of course there's the obvious close-ups of their disgust. However, in the background, out of focus, you can see heads turn, noses covered. Once Richard gets up, take a look at the girl behind him, she's fanning with her test, to get the stink out of the way.
Gwen's revenge is tremendous, more than she could of ever imagined. I'm sure she'd be sexually excited if she could see the video and the end result. She cost him any chance of following in his fathers footsteps in going to Northwestern. She cost him a huge dent in opportunities he'll get with jobs. Embarrassment by his father and peers, and probably rejection from his family. And the fart (after the black guy stops talking) that literally echoes through the room tells you some major damage has been done to his bowels. The teacher surly would of sent him to the emergency room. At the moment of the echoing, marble playing sounding fart, take a look at the students faces? Very painful expression, they know someones in major damage. I guarentee that a few, if not more years off Richard's life was taken by Gwen.
Does it pay back what he did for Van? Yes and more, It pays back every time he was a dick. Do you care? Probably not, since Cosgrove played a *beep* so well out of every line he said.
Even if it wasn't a smart ass reply, just the tone is much like Humphrey Bogart in Maltese Falcon, *beep* but lovable. And Cosgrove is lovable in the fact that hes so funny when hes not trying to be.