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From left: Steve Carell plays Barry and Paul Rudd plays Tim in Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures/Spyglass Entertainment's comedy, `Dinner for Schmucks.` (photo by Merie Weismiller Wallace/©2010 DW Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved)
From left: Steve Carell plays Barry and Paul Rudd plays Tim in Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures/Spyglass Entertainment's comedy, "Dinner for Schmucks." (photo by Merie Weismiller Wallace/©2010 DW Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved)

'Dinner For Schmucks' ... and everyone is invited

by jmaloni
Thu, Aug 12th 2010 09:00 am

Review by Matt Crouch

*What you are about to read is a cinematic review. Each movie is critiqued based on its rating-pending (PG or R), Genre (Comedy or Thriller), the acting, the score, the plot, and the overall quality of the movie. Hence, just because there are explosions, blood, or you think George Clooney/Megan Fox is "hot" does not mean it's a good film. Or does it. ... You be the judge.*

 

‘Dinner For Schmucks' (2010)

 

CAST

Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Stephanie Szostak, Zach Galifianakis, Jemaine Clement, Lucy Punch, Bruce Greenwood, David Walliams, Ron Livingston

Director:  Jay Roach -- "Austin Powers," "Meet the Parents," "Mystery, Alaska"

Written by: David Guion and Michael Handleman -- "The Ex"

 

STORYBOARD

Tim (Paul Rudd) is a striving executive and finally got promoted to an important position in his company. It's then that the boss invites him to a secret monthly dinner game in which each person has to bring a "Social Idiot" to be made fun of for the night. Tim first resists, but when he encounters Barry (Carell), a lonely mouse taxidermy enthusiast, he knows he's found his dining companion. It ends up becoming a night that neither of them had expected.

THE DISPOSITION

WARNING: Movie trailers are deceiving!! Movie trailers are deceiving!!

The first bit of advice I have for you is to go into the theater expecting that it's more of a drama than it is a comedy. Don't get disappointed; the film is hilarious at times (in particular the Russian luncheon scene), but don't be looking for a "Hangover" experience for all of you Galifianakis fans out there. The movie plays really slow in the beginning, and honestly, is just not that funny. But it picks up when Carell does what he does best: make you feel so incredibly awkward you have to laugh. Even though there are a few hard laughs, I was really disappointed.

I love Carell and Galifianakis, and I really thought this would be one of the best movies this summer. Carell, especially, is such a brilliant performer. But a cast of talented/funny actors cannot hold a terribly written and directed film. The movie itself could not support the actors.

Overall, yes, it was funny. Yes, I felt bad for the under plot line. SPOILER: Carell's life is symbolized by the mice he taxidermies. At the end of it all, you "The Hangover" and "The Office" crazies will be disappointed.

 

 "I LOVED IT!!"

If you love "The Office" season 5, or "Meet the Parents." Funny actors, but the show just sucks.

2.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

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