Dinner for Schmucks Movie Review

Dinner for Schmucks

Grade: B-

You many have noticed the movie reviews have dropped off a bit recently.  That's because I've become what they call a "recession widow".  My other half, has been traveling every week to a job in the Atlanta area.  We now only have week-ends together and we have to cram everything into two days and movies have fallen off the list of things to do.

We did manage to fit one in on Saturday evening and believe it or not we opted for Dinner for Schmucks.  Not exactly high brow, but I do love Steve Carell. 

This is the story of a young financial analyst (Paul Rudd), seeking to advance in his company.  Through some very savvy moves, he comes to the attention of the company president.  Now, all he needs to do to cement his rise to the corner office, is participate in their monthly "bring an idiot to dinner" event.  He opts to not participate in this dinner(per the influence from his girlfriend)...but when he literally runs into Barry (Steve Carell), he feels it's preordained to participate.

Carell does the amazing job being ridiculous and annoying, yet somehow finding that part of the character that is also sympathetic.  It's the same thing he does almost every week on The Office.  Just when you think you can't stand any more of Michael....he does something kind or endearing and you forget how awful he can be. 

Paul Rudd is a good counterpart to Carell's craziness. He is a good every man and his face can convey quite a bit of emotion.  It's easy to believe his sympathetic transition as his relationship with Barry to develops.

There were some laugh out loud funny moments in this movie.  There were also some significant "squirm in your seat" moments and a few times...they went a little too far. 

This movie is worth seeing just for the depiction of Barry's hobby.  The whole mouse taxidermy scenes are just hilarious and once you understand the characters...it is also quite endearing.

Overall, I enjoyed this movie, but I would recommend it more as a rental.