Dinner for Schmucks (2010)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Jay Roach

Cast: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Jermaine Clement, Zack Galifianakis

Running time: 114 minutes

Tim Conrad works as a mid-level executive in a financial firm and he is hoping to get a big promotion. On the verge of getting there, he is invited to take part in what is being called a Dinner for Winners. The point of the evening is for each person to bring a guest with a special talent to poke fun at them while pretending to find them interesting. Even if his girlfriend finds the whole idea mean and disgusting, Tim still wants to do it, considering the promotion he so desires hangs in the balance. When he accidently hits Barry Speck with his car, Tim finds the perfect loser for his dinner. Speck, an IRS employee, builds various dioramas while using stuffed dead mice as characters as a hobby. Unfortunately for Tim, as soon as Barry comes into his life, he brings chaos along with him.

Dinner for Schmucks is the American adaptation of the French film Le Dîner de Cons, directed by Francis Veber. Honestly, if you haven’t done so already, I would recommend you folks check the original instead of bothering with this version, which manages to suck most of the charm out of Le Dîner de Cons.

It is unfortunate, considering Paul Rudd, Zack Galifianakis and Steve Carell are talented actors. There were a few moments that made me smile or laugh, but, sadly, the magic simply did not operate over the whole thing, especially when you compare to the brilliant original film that inspired this adaptation. And, the Americanized ending felt fake and forced.

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