Dinner for Schmucks

I was unfortunately barred from watching Dinner for Schmucks last weekend due to filming the 48 hour project I was working on. I saw it as soon as possible afterwards.

Honestly, I was surprised by this movie. This summer has been somewhat lacking in the straight up comedy department (don't make me mention the only other notable entry so far... ick), so Dinner for Schmucks was something I needed to see, plus I was still decompressing from a stressful weekend, so the film hit me at an opportune time. I enjoyed it. (editors note: haven't seen Cyrus yet)

Granted, Dinner for Schmucks is not THAT funny. Nor is it memorable, or altogether different from any of the other raunchy comedies from the last few years. But it kept me smiling throughout, which, this summer, might just be enough for me to crown it comedy of the year.

But the film has a heart at its center, and not an imitation heart either (ok ok, think Grown Ups) but a sincere attempt at making characters that the audience really can care about. Steve Carrell is endearing as Barry, the lovable idiot who is perhaps wiser than he seems. Paul Rudd, one of my favorite comic actors, does a good job as Tim, the lead character whose descent into the corporate world provides the impetus for conflict.

This is a movie that is pretty much entirely about the characters. What little story there is mostly serves to introduce us to schmuck after schmuck, culminating in the dinner from the title where they vie for the trophy for the most "special" guest.

This wouldn't work if the characters were boring or unfunny, but fortunately, there are plenty of great comic actors hamming it up playing dumb, and it saves the movie. Jemaine Clement was my favorite, playing an artist who is perhaps a little too into his work. He didn't even garner an invite for the dinner! Too bad.

The schmucks at the dinner are mostly forgettable, save for Barry and his equally strange boss, played by Zach Galafianakis. For all the builup given to the dinner party (see: title of the movie), the scene is actually a let down. Nothing all that spectacular or funny happens which was disappointing.

So Dinner for Schmucks was enjoyable for a night out, but I can't say how much I would have liked it if I expected ANYTHING from it. It was funny enough, only just. Charming enough, if barely. So, not one I would watch again or recommend to see in theaters but it is a solid enjoyable film.


Attendance: 2/5
Crazy Fan Boy Factor: 0/5
Crowd Response: 3/5

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Production Value: 3/5
Humor: 3/5
Acting Performances: 3/5
You may say I'm a dreamer: but I'm not.



Overall: 6/10