Film & TV

Dinner for Schmucks

Rating: M

Running Time: 114minutes

Release Date:220px-Dinner_for_schmucks_ver2 30 September 2010

http://www.dinnerforschmucks.com

Dinner for Schmucks is the American version of the French film Le Diner de Cons (The Dinner Game) but that is where the similarity ends .  This screwball comedy directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Fockers) sees the re-teaming of Steve Carell (Date Night) and Paul Judd from their previous outings in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

Tim Conrad (Paul Rudd) is a financial analyst struggling to move up the corporate ladder.  He finally gets his chance to impress boss Lance Fender (Bruce Greenwood) when he suggests an ingenious idea to hook wealthy Swiss businessman, Martin Mueller (David Walliams) as a client.  To reward him for his innovativeness Tim is invited to attend the monthly “inner sanctum” dinner party.  There is a catch however as they must bring an eccentric guest, guaranteed to provide amusement to the dinner hosts, at their own expense.  The employee with the most laughed at dinner partner wins his boss’ glory and trophy.  Tim’s girlfriend Julie (Stephanie Szostak) is horrified at the idea but after finding his perfect victim in Barry Speck (Steve Carell) Tim is willing to risk Julie’s wrath in order to make it in the cut throat corporate world.  However he isn’t quite prepared at potentially losing her to artist Kieran Vollard (Jemaine Clement), whose work she curates.  Neither is he aware of the havoc that Barry will wreak in entering his world.

Personally I dislike screwball comedy as I find it so irritatingly frustrating and coupled with the fact that laughs are had at the expense of others but for those who don’t have issues with this, they are bound to enjoy the film.  Carell and Rudd are a great team with straight guy Rudd a great offsider to the comic talents of Carell particularly in this oddball display.  Carell’s character of Barry the rodent taxidermist who portray’s the world as he sees it in the form of diorama’s.  David Walliams characterisation of Swiss billionaire is reminiscent of his Little Britain personas which he continues to channel in this performance.  To add to this comic talent fest they have decided to poach the Flight of the Concords cast netting Jemaine Clement and goofy Kristen Schaal (Get Him to the Greek) as Susana, Tim’s Personal Assistant to enrich the comic pool. 

It does have some original material which sets it apart from the usual humdrum of comedies but it still relies in being over the top, crass and ludicrous.  It is one of those you love or hate films so interesting to see what side of the comic line you fall into.

3/5 stars

More News

To Top