Movie Review - Dinner for Schmucks

"I can make you say it Barry. Just say it: You can eat my pudding."

Another Paul Rudd and Steve Carell comedy? What is this, The 40 Year Old Virgin all over again? I admit, I was skeptical about seeing this movie. I was never a huge fan of Austin Powers, and to learn that the director of that series, Jay Roach, had signed on to direct this movie made me even more skeptical. And THEN I find out that it's a remake of a brilliant French film called "Le diner de cons". I'm always skeptical of remakes, especially if it's horror movies. But when my friend offered to pay for my ticket, I jumped at the chance to go.

And I was surprised. Enthralled actually, by what I saw. This movie is hilarious. I haven't laughed at a movie more since The Hangover came out, and this rivals it for most laughs. To explain briefly, Dinner for Schmucks is about an analyst named Tim, played by Paul Rudd, who is looking for a promotion. And after a clever idea, he is offered the chance to finally move up in the firm. But first, his boss wants to learn to trust him, and invites Tim to a dinner he hosts. Each guest to the dinner must bring an idiot, or "schmuck", and present him/her to the rest of the group. Which is where Barry comes along (Steve Carell). Tim soon finds out that Barry has the ability to mess up someone's life within 5 seconds, and quickly destructs Tim's apartment and relationships. I won't ruin the rest for you, as it's all hilarious. I honestly have never laughed harder in a movie, and this is by far the funniest movie I've seen this year.

However, the highlight of the movie comes not from it's 2 stars, but from 2 of the minor characters. Jermaine Clement plays Kieran, an artist and borderline psycho fashion model. His performance is outstanding, as he often borders genius and insane at the same time. Another highlight comes from Zach Galifianakis. Previously seen in The Hangover, Galifianakis plays a man working for the IRS convinced he has the ability to control people's minds. His main test subject? Barry. Their battles, later revealed to be more private than previously thought (see quote up top), become a major focal point for comedic fodder. The climax of the dinner is one of the longest nonstop laughs I've had in recent memory, and only makes this movie more memorable.

See Dinner for Schmucks. Then see "Le diner de cons" for comparison, which I plan to do. Both are amazing movies, and you won't regret seeing them. Easily the funniest movie of the summer, and possibly the year. A great cast, screenplay, and direction make this movie a great laugh and comedic masterpiece.

9.0/10