Last night we got to see an early screening of Dinner for Schmucks which 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 a reluctant buddy comedy paired with one very memorable dinner.
This broad farce based on the 1998 French film, “Le Diner des Cons” is extremely funny. I can’t remember the last time that I laughed so much at a movie in a very long time. In fact the entire theater resonated with belly laughs throughout the entire film. Other actors like Jack Black, Will Ferrell or Jim Carrey could have played the Barry character over the top but Carell balances the role with likability and sweetness.
I was pleasantly reminded of other favorite comedies such as Trains, Planes and Automobiles and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Dinner for Schmucks also features a superb supporting cast, particularly Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords), as a bizarre performance artist and Zach Galifianakis, as Barry’s domineering boss. If you like movies such as The 40 Year Old Virgin and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, then “Schmucks” will not disappoint you.
I really enjoyed this film and would highly recommend it. Dinner for Schmucks will be in theaters on Friday.
