There comes a point in every Georgetown student’s life when he can no longer tolerate the food at Leo’s. Starving after a class that ends at 7:30 p.m., that student and his friends decide to find a place to eat. After walking along M Street for 15 minutes, they settle on Mendocino Grille and Wine Bar, a cozy restaurant and bar situated opposite the Four Seasons Hotel.

In Hollywood, where slapstick comedy and weak plots usually mark the standard comedy, it is little surprise that rookie director Craig Gillespie’s Mr. Woodcock is hardly a standout.

The plot is weak, the dialogue prosaic and the acting stiff. In fact, there are few truly comedic moments. The only thing that seems to render it bearable is Billy Bob Thornton’s portrayal of the acerbic jerk Mr. Woodcock, and the occasional comical insights into life that are peppered throughout the 90-minute film.