Rating:  

DreamWorks SKG, Spyglass Entertainment, Parkes/McDonald Productions, Everyman Pictures and Paramount Pictures.

Written by: David Guion and Michael Handelman, adapted from Francis Veber’s 1998 French film, “Le Diner de Cons”.

There is something I find consistently funny with Paul Rudd movies, and I think it is simply the man himself. He is hilarious to me, a rather unique actor who can generate laughs by simple reaction, articulation, and presence. I think he is rather underestimated as well and would be curious to see him tackle something dramatic. But, Rudd is firmly entrenched as an A-list comedic actor and he and co-star Steve Carell shoot for the moon in their latest, “Dinner For Schmucks.”

Rudd plays Tim, a 6th floor investment executive, who seeks the chance to work on that elusive and exclusive 7th floor of his investment firm. Presenting a rather ridiculous idea to his bosses places him on the company radar and he is invited to a closed door meeting with a couple of 7th floor folks. As with the trailer, we learn that every month, the 7th floor folks have a dinner party wherein they invite the strangest and most bizarre person they can find. At the conclusion of the dinner, company bigwig Lance Fender (Bruce Greenwood) awards a prize to an invitee, which results in some type of bonus or kickback for the employee who brought the dinner guest. Learning of this offers Tim the chance to finally move up to that elusive and previously unattainable spot in the company.

Naturally, his breathtaking art curator girlfriend, Julie (Stephanie Szostak), finds the idea appalling and Tim’s mere mention of it sends her over the edge. On the eve of the dinner, Tim’s car slams into the body of Barry (Carell), a shlubby I.R.S. agent who also partakes in taxidermy on the side. When not working for a horrifying boss (Zach Galifianakis) who believes he can control Barry with mind control, Barry creates and recreates favorite moments in history, or his life, through the use of deceased mice, which he delicately holds together with wire, string, and other assorted tools and devices.

Steve Carell plays Barry in what I could best describe as a controlled frenzy. Lacking any self-esteem whatsoever and desperately alone, Barry simply seeks a friend. So as Barry sees Tim’s kindness and simple gestures as a sign of outreach and friendship, Tim believes he may have just discovered his guarantee for that promotion to the 7th floor. Despite his best and most creative efforts, Tim cannot shake Barry away. In a matter of a couple of hours, Tim’s girlfriend is out of the picture, a psychotic one-night stand returns, and prior to the dinner party, Tim must broker a $100 million investment deal successfully or the organization he works for will cease to exist. And even that goes terribly wrong.

Adding in charismatic supporting actors such as Galifianakis, and including Jemaine Clement from “Flight of the Conchords” as gonzo photographer, Kieran, the movie always falls on the side of fun and amusing. We all know where the film is headed – the ultimate dinner and its rather unique attendees, but getting there is the focus on the film. Rudd and Carell are working on their third film together and they are so comfortable with one another that you can almost sense a heightened sense of improv and gamesmanship occurring between the two. Yet, as much of a joy as it is to watch them together, the film struggles to find an even balance between its comedic and dramatic tones. Director Jay Roach swings the pendulum too far in either direction here and even though you are laughing, the comedy comes in stutters and starts.

Lacking cohesion or consistency still does not deter from its appeal. When the film wants to be funny, it truly is. When it wants to be heartfelt and dramatic, not so much. (Of course, the woman next to me who kept consistently saying “Oh no…” or “poor guy…” in the dramatic moments would certainly disagree with me…).

In totality, “Dinner For Schmucks” is a funny movie housed in a mixed bag of comedy/drama. Paul Rudd and Steve Carell counterbalance well and the film’s titular schmucks are certainly, and rather obviously, a different set of attendees than advertised. Too uneven and inconsistent for some, I was nevertheless entertained by its odd feel and rhythm. Like any meal, you can pick out the flaws of how something can taste better or be prepared better, but you still eat and are pretty satisfied at the end, despite the imperfections. And I was pretty satisfied with “Dinner For Schmucks.”

Should I See It?

YES

Fans of Carell, Rudd, Clement, and Galifianakis will enjoy this. And again, when the movie is funny, it is really funny. It’s just not funny all the time.

The dinner scene, if you can get there, is hilarious and redemptive to the film. Steve Carell gets his big moment here and the movie almost makes you accept the juxtaposition of comedy and drama throughout.

An absolute easy watch, this is what most people look for when they want “something funny” and “entertaining” at the movies.

NO

The film is a bit schizophrenic is trying to connect the comedy to the drama. At times it is hard to tell whether it wants to be a heartfelt comedy or a comedy with a message, or just an over-the-top laughfest. I’m still not entirely sure.

The film pushes to the limit of a PG-13 rating with its content. Parents who allow younger kids to see PG-13 films should be warned that the film gets away with a lot when compared to other PG-13 comedies.

If you are not a fan of silly movies, then this is not going to be your cup of tea.