Dinner for Schmucks — 2 1/2 stars — Opens July 30, 2010

July 29, 2010 on 1:56 pm | In Uncategorized |

When Steve Carell makes a movie, fans pay attention because Carell has great comic talent.  IN “Dinner for Schmucks” he plays an amateur taxidermist who stuffs mice and arranges them in little recreations of famous paintings.  Paul Rudd comes into the picture as an ambitious stock analyst who wants to impress his boss at the annual “Dinner for Winners”—a dinner/contest to see who can bring the biggest dork.  Of course, Rudd’s world goes all wrong and he winds up spending several days with Carell.  Along the way he learns a few things about humility and humanity.  This is a remake of a French film—never a good sign.  Dinner for Schmucks has some good laughs and Carell always plays these kind of characters with grace, but it runs long, runs out of gas and frankly tries a little too hard.  

Does it deliver what it promises?  Comedy that skirts the edges of cruelty.

Is it entertaining?  Some good laughs but runs long.

Is it worth the price of admission?  About half of it.