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Dinner For Schmucks (2010)

Director: Jay Roach

Time Out rating

Average user rating
5 reviews

Synopsis

Hollywood take 1998 French comedy of manners 'Le Diner de Cons' and remake it with Paul Rudd and Steve Carell.

Movie review

From Time Out London

A decent cast wrestle with a crummy script in this loose and creaky Hollywood spin on ‘Le Dîner de Cons’, Francis Veber’s award-winning French play and film. Middle-ranking corporate investment exec Tim (Paul Rudd) is angling for a promotion, but to seal the deal he has to run along with his blokey boss’s invitation to a meal at his mansion to which every guest has to bring an out-and-out idiot. Lucky for Tim, he almost runs over Barry (Steve Carrell), a humourless, thick-skinned tax-office nobody and fan of small stuffed animals. The meal itself, which comes late in the day, feels like an afterthought, with more attention paid to low-grade farcical larks involving Tim’s fiancée Julie (Stephanie Szostak), her self-possessed artist boss (Jemaine Clement), Tim’s ditzy blonde stalker (Lucy Punch), a potential Swiss investor (David Walliams) and Barry’s cruel boss (Zach Galifianakis). Few gags hit the mark, and the ultimate parade of ‘idiots’ is a failure, especially as someone mistook ‘stupid’ for ‘eccentric’.

Author: Dave Calhoun

Time Out London Issue 2089: 2 – 8, September 2010


User reviews of this film

  • GPR said...
    Posted on Sep 15 2010 14:52 The above reviewer of this film rather missed the point.
    Report as inappropriate
  • GPR said...
    Posted on Sep 15 2010 14:49 Fair enough, easy, idiotic comedy. Same premise as an episode of 'Citizen Smith' back in the late 70's, and not the best work of either Rudd or Carell, but FUN!
    Report as inappropriate
  • Blade09 said...
    Posted on Sep 14 2010 17:43 This film is simply breath taking...well it sure takes the breath out of you when you laugh so hard. this film is brilliant. the people who directed 'meet the parents' sure didnt let us down. The actors were well chose too. however, the trailor really doesnt do justice to this re-markable fiilm! :)
    Report as inappropriate
  • long cat said...
    Posted on Sep 09 2010 20:57 Steve Carell's worst to date. His character is one whom Paul Rudd's character should have run over early in the movie with a bit more speed. Tedious idiotic gags totally miss the mark. For a comedy it is pitiful. I rate it minus 5 stars.
    If you want a good comedy check out Grown Ups
    Report as inappropriate
  • scrumpyjack said...
    Posted on Sep 07 2010 23:45 The biggest surprise (other than Death at the Funeral) this year
    a little "Rain Man" vibe, may I venture?
    liked it....you will too...if you forget the awful trailer 7/10
    Report as inappropriate
5 comments

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Cast & crew

Director: Jay Roach

Cast: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd full cast

Genre(s): Comedy

Rated: 12A

Duration: 114 mins

US Release: Aug 20 2010




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