Review of Dinner for Schmucks

Wow. Steve Carrell was reeeally left to carry the load on his own in this one. In less capable comedic hands Dinner For Schmucks would have played out as an incredibly formulatic and extremely tedious film. As it stands, the film passes as an incredibly formulatic, moderately tedious excersice with some doses of real humor and passing instances of near-conclusive proof that Carrell is not only a great comedic talent, but possibly the seemingly nicest genious youd ever wish to meet. It's a shame that so much of this movie is so mediocre because Carrell delivers a remarkable performance in an otherwise largely forgettable film. Paul Rudd is flat; his character lifeless with a dash of shmaltzy. His girlfriend is a pretty face and little more. The rest are unimaginative charactatures that prompted a few laughs out of me, but far more irritated impatience. The director should be given some credit in his ability to coreograph some of the more elaborate, physical comedy scenes, but that's about the extent of any noteworthy efforts in that department. By the end of the film we are rewarded, however modestly, but only through watching Carrell gradually and entirely disappear into his role as Barry, as he quietly grows on us and endears himself to us. Barry is a noble fool indeed, charming in his apparent simplicity, suprising in his more elusive complexity. Dinner for Schmucks is worth a rental, but don't run out and buy it.