Review in 100 Words – Dinner for Schmucks

For a film with a wealth of comedians (Steve Carell, Zach Galifinakis, Jermaine Clement and others), I wanted this movie to be funnier. Director Jay Roach (the Austin Powers films) goes for the easy laughs at the expense of star Paul Rudd. (Think the Ben Stiller character in the Fokker movies and one Rudd’s played many times before.) Carell’s Barry is sweet and awkward; like “The Office’s” Michael Scott’s less sophisticated cousin. The pedestrian writing will more than likely make you smile but rarely laugh out loud. I’ll be checking out the original French film with higher expectations, I think.

Dinner for Schmucks

“Dinner for Schmucks” tells the story of Tim (Paul Rudd), a guy on the verge of having it all. The only thing standing between him and total career success is finding the perfect guest to bring to his boss’ annual Dinner for Extraordinary People, an event where the winner of the evening brings the most eccentric character as his guest. Enter Barry (Steve Carell), a guy with a passion for dressing mice up in tiny outfits to recreate great works of art. From Jay Roach, director of “Meet the Parents” and “Meet the Fockers” comes an unforgettable feast about two unlikely friends and one very memorable dinner.

Opens July 30th.

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