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Dinner for Schmucks Review

Movies.com Critics

2.5

Dave White Profile

15 Minutes With Zach G: The Movie Read full review

1.5

Jen Yamato Profile

Mean people suck. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    56

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 40

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    Against all reason and expectation, the result is a distinctly unfunny film.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    No schmucks were harmed in the making of Dinner for Schmucks. That's the problem.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter John DeFore

    Though Carell and Rudd are both saddled with characters that just aren't as interesting as many they've played in the past, the movie benefits from having drawn many gifted comedians to supporting roles.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    Gussied-up rodents and inane male antics come together in funny and inspired ways in this screwball farce.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    The guests at the dinner are a strange lot. To describe them would be to give away their jokes, and one of the pleasures of the movie is having each one appear.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Variety

    An uproarious odd-couple remake of Francis Veber's hit French farce "The Dinner Game."

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    The film collects a cast of performers who know how to be funny. The success of this movie, following a formula upheld by just about any recent hit comedy you can name, lies as much with supporting players and plot-derailing set pieces as with the central story and characters.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Dinner for Schmucks reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 14+

Slapstick comedy feasts on the nerdiness of others.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this remake of hit French comedy The Dinner Game is anchored by a premise that is, on its face, quite mean-spirited: The main character is invited to a dinner where he must bring someone whom his colleagues can ridicule. Plenty of mockery does take place, but there’s a lesson about conscience and morality buried amid the snark. There’s some swearing (including "s--t") and sexual content (nude women covered in body paint, references to "BJs," etc.), as well as social drinking. Expect teens to be drawn in by stars Paul Rudd and Steve Carell.

  • Families can talk about the movie's message. What's the ultimate take-away? Does any of the positive stuff get lost amid the movie's humor?
  • Would you be willing to make fun of other people for personal gain? Do you think it would be easy to stand up and do the right thing, even if your job was at risk?
  • Who are the real "idiots" in this movie? How can you tell?

The good stuff
  • message true3

    Messages: The movie shows that some people are willing to do anything to get ahead, even if it means mocking and taking advantage of others. But it ultimately sends the message that doing so -- even if there might be significant material rewards -- isn't acceptable behavior, and there might be a moral price to pay.

  • rolemodels true2

    Role models: Tim is initially self-centered and materialistic, willing to lie to his girlfriend and take advantage of Barry to help further his career. But he slowly realizes that material gains aren't worth the toll on his conscience or his personal relationships.

What to watch for
  • violence false2

    Violence: A few intense arguments escalate into brawls, complete with people throwing heavy objects at each other. A deranged woman takes out her frustrations on a very unfortunate sports car, leaving it a badly dented, moderately functional heap. A swordfight leads to a man losing his finger.

  • sex false3

    Sex: One scene featuring three people engaged in erotic play involves nude women covered in body paint. There's also some suggestive dialogue and innuendo; for example, a woman begs a man to spank her, and a man confesses to being ignorant of a specifc parts of his wife's sexual anatomy. References to "BJs" and hookers.

  • language false3

    Language: Some swearing, including one "f--k," a few uses of “s--t” and “bulls--t," "hell," "damn," "ass," and "oh God" (used as an exclamation).

  • consumerism false2

    Consumerism: A Porsche sports car plays an important role in the film and is mentioned by name.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some social drinking.

Fan Reviews provided by

1

I'm in shock on how hard it was to watch this movie. by Frijoles4u
I had to create an account on Fandango just so I could comment on this Movie. I'm a pretty tolerant person. I've only walked out of one Movie before and that was Blair Witch Project. Let me tell you I walked out of this Movie sooner than the Blair Project. I love both of these Actors and can't understand why they would do a movie like this. I'm even embarrased to say I watched this movie.

5

Funniest Movie I've Seen in a While by ndrone1
So, the plot is a little predictable - that much is true with almost any movie these days. Rarely, however, are comedies predictable and still hilarious. The last movie I found absolutely hilarious was "The Hangover." This is the same type. Great acting for what it is! Comedy comes out of NOWHERE for most of the movie which is the best part in my opinion. This is a great movie for anyone who works 8-5 and just needs to RELAX and LAUGH and start the weekend right. Take your coworkers or friends and go enjoy the night. I might even pay to see this again in theaters. What a great feeling when you laugh so hard you can't look up at the screen anymore because you're crouching in the fetal position. You haven't heard these jokes before and you'll be happy you did; you'll be trying to remember them all the way home. Enjoy!

2

I hate saying no to this..... by lovestalentmoviefan
...because Roach,Carrell and in particular,Rudd,are always dependable,and can make anything funny..Not here...this script was for Schmucks,even the title should have been different. I got maybe 3 forced laughs and 1 genuine. Editing and pacing were totally off,material was very tepid for the most part.The crude lines were so random and non-cohesive with the rest of the script,that they got zero reaction from my audience. Rudd and Carrell tried really hard I think to make this work. It was a bad idea in the beginning to do this 'remake'. The artist and Rudd's secretary were particularly unamusing and just wrong. Everyone else in the cast is capable of far,far better...and I will not give up on them. You will feel like a fool if you spend any money here. I certainly did. I think people who like it are really young,or don't get out much. Really lame.

1

Garbage by The-Best
Did the actors do this movie for free? The actors must have really needed the money to make a trashy movie like this!!!

2

Surprisingly bad considering the actors by guyinsaratoga
I went in w/ fairly low expectations and they were not met. I am a big Steve Carell and Paul Rudd fan, so even though I thought the movie might not be great, I thought they could do something w/ it. I was wrong. It was really bad. I almost left the theater. It felt like most of the humor was falling flat. There were just a few funny moments, not nearly enough to make it worthwhile, and nothing laugh out loud funny. Disappointing, even w/ my low expectations.

5

the first actually 'funny' movie in a long time by jenn998
This movie is what you really call 'funny'...and so entertaining too...it was just hilarious...every scene...line...just off the wall funny...it was stupid funny- the kind of stuff you used to find in movies but what they don't make anymore....this was funnier than 'the hangover' which people claim was so funny...but this was better...every scene was just a riot, stupid, weird...steve carell was hilarious...the storyline was good too...and all the dinner scenarios and the last dinner....if you want a good laugh, good entertainment..this is the movie to go to... I wish they made more crazy off the wall funny movies like this these days

5

Five Word Review by king_morton
OMG Out_Of_Your Seat_Comedy Go Enjoy

4

Five Word Review by redyeah
Comic duo made in Holly-heaven

4

No Need For a Love Story by Skidoon
Overall the movie was very funny! Steve Carell and Paul Rudd had great chemistry. However, the movie could of been about 45 minutes shorter if they would of ditched the love story plot.

5

Smartly Hilarious by duckspucknut
Steve Carell?s comedic timing is exquisite and Paul Rudd is his perfect straight man. I laughed nearly all the way through the film and was wonderfully entertained.

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