Tim (Paul Rudd) is an up incoming businessman who, like everyone these days, has aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder. After presenting an impressive idea that could potentially land the company a huge account Tim is invited to an exclusive dinner party for executives. But this isn't your average dinner party. Instead of bringing a date Tim is instructed to bring an idiot. As fate would have it, on his way home Tim literally runs into Barry (Steve Carell), who along with his dead mouse collection, turns out to be the perfect companion for the dinner party. This begins an adventure that will certainly leave you laughing all the way through the last course.
Dinner for Schmucks is surprisingly funny. It has been a long time since I have found a PG-13 rated comedy that actually had me laughing out loud, and this film accomplished just that, repeatedly. Almost every character in the movie had a funny moment or memorable line, and their combined efforts made for one truly hilarious movie.
Stave Carell delivered with his quirky appearance, only adding to the humor of his character Barry. The fact that Barry can keep up with the larger-than-life personas around him is a testament to Carell's comedic talent, but he wasn't the only funny one present at the party. Paul Rudd and Zach Galifianakis held their own and delivered equally entertaining performances as Barry's new friend Tim and his co-worker Therman. Together the three create an undeniably strong alliance worth witnessing.
Dinner for Schmucks is a remake of Francis Veber's hit French circus The Dinner Game. Director Jay Roach really did an excellent job letting Carrel and Rudd create a funny atmosphere to complement the well-rounded script. Roach and his writers succeed because they turn the story into something uniquely their own, without losing the core of the original. It would be hard to imagine anyone being genuinely offended by this over-all clean flick. No small task considering the onslaught of gross, immature comedies that currently fill the theaters.
There is a tiny bit of romance featured in the film as Barry wedges himself between Tim and his current girlfriend. But there is really little time to dig into that realm of the story as so much concentration is put on Barry and his growing connection with his new pal Tim.
Overall, Dinner for Schmucks is funny and worth a watch. The comedic genius of Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and Zach Galifianakis will no doubt make you laugh, and the PG-13 rating makes this adventure open to all teen audiences. The combined humor and romance makes it the perfect dinner and date film; especially considering that the humor doesn't adhere to one sex over the other.
