To use modern text-ology, “Dinner for Schmucks” is a WTF movie. I can’t count the number of times I thought “WTF” while watching it. It is as if the writers and director just decided to go for every possible gag, no matter how bizarre. And I have to admit that I laughed out loud quite a few times… But not enough.
High powered businessmen gather regularly for a special dinner where they are required to bring an extraordinary guest. To clarify — they have to bring an idiot for them all to make fun of and laugh at. Paul Rudd plays an ambitious young exec who knows it is a morally shady thing to do, but feels obligated to join in. He has an odd encounter with Steve Carell, who happens to be a perfect candidate for the upcoming dinner. You see, he collects dead mice and arranges them in scenery as a form of art. He also has his fair share of other oddball behavior.
The movie has successful aspects. I am thinking primarily of the brilliant Jermaine Clement (HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords”) as the crazy artistic “genius” who pops up from time to time. Of course I enjoyed Carell, who is just one of those actors whose face can cause a giggle without a single muscle twitch. And there are some scenes that work so well that a belly laugh is in order.
But on the whole, “Dinner for Schmucks” isn’t quite the riot you would expect. There are too many moments where one gets the impression that everyone is trying too hard. Paul Rudd is also a little tiresome playing the same character he always plays — himself. And once again… Paul Rudd as Paul Rudd! AHAHAHAHA… UGH. I got bored with the film about half way through and it never regained my interest as it played its way to a paint-by-numbers conclusion. Next!
