"DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS" (REVIEW)

It's been on my "must-watch" list for ages, and I'm so glad that I could finally watch it! Here is my review of Dinner for Schmucks, starring Steve Carell and Paul Rudd.

Based on the 1998 French film Le dîner de cons, Dinner for Schmucks tells the story of mid-level financial executive Tim Conrad (Rudd), whose boss invites him to a "dinner for winners" in which he must bring along an eccentric person with a "special talent". However, it is more of a "dinner for idiots" where the guests are mocked mercilessly. Tim does plan not to go for the dinner (after being persuaded by his girlfriend). That was until he accidentally hits IRS employee/amateur mouse taxidermist Barry Speck (Carell) with his car.

Carell was in character as lovable "schmuck" Barry, providing much comic relief for the film, while Rudd strikes gold as leading man, after the 2009 flop Year One (in a uncredited cameo as Abel).

The star power of Dinner for Schmucks does not go unnoticed: Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) as mind reader/Barry's boss Therman Murch, an unrecognizable Jemaine Clement (one-half of New Zealand-based musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords) as eccentric artist Kieran Vollard, David Walliams (Little Britain) as Swiss businessman Martin Mueller, and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham as fellow idiot Lewis (and his puppet "wife" Debbie).

The film is sprinkled with a little crude humour here and there, but somehow (and for some reason), it works. Audiences will get a good laugh, even when sex and penis jokes are involved. So, I highly recommend the film, unless you're offended by a little crude humour.

Besides the funny flick it's marketed to be, there is also a little warmth in its story revolving around broken relationships and bringing people together to form friendships that are out of the ordinary.

SPOILER ALERT: If you're planning to catch this movie, STAY AFTER THE CREDITS. There'll be a little extra something after them.

If I were to compare this with another comedy film that I caught recently, The Other Guys (which I couldn't find the time to review), I would probably favour this one as it is more lighthearted fare compared to the action-comedy-buddy cop film that is The Other Guys. Thus, I give Dinner for Schmucks...

4/5

Here is a little clip from Dinner for Schmucks...