Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES II, III & IV • August 11, 2010 Carell and Rudd team up again in ‘Dinner for Schmucks’ The film is schizophrenic. Sometimes it goes for broad laughs. Other times, it works too hard to show that though Barry is portrayed as a loser, he has a good heart. The opening of the movie has great promise and sets up what appears to be a story about corporate backbiting, executives with twisted senses of humor, and a smart young guy trying to advance in a firm whose ethics he deplores. Rudd is very engaging and believable as Tim, and his reactions to Barry and his comments are impeccable. Tim is juggling three issues: pleasing his boss, dealing with Barry, and trying to win the hand of girlfriend Julie, who disapproves of the dinner. Director Jay Roach knows that often the biggest laughs come not from the “bit,” but from characters’ reactions to it, and he exploits this throughout. Where he falls down is in prolonged scenes that are not inherently funny, such as one in which Barry’s wife-stealing IRS co-worker (Zach Galifianakis) demonstrates his “mind control” over Barry. It seems to go on forever. I was looking forward to the dinner scene, figuring there would really be a zany assortment of guests, but the sequence seemed flat, with minimal screen time devoted to the guests’ special talents. Carell has made a career of playing mostly intelligencechallenged guys, so it’s no surprise that he is effective as Barry. Carell has the rare ability to play farce and elicit empathy at the same time. I just wish he had had stronger material to match his capabilities. “Dinner for Schmucks” has too many unnecessary subplots. One involves arrogant, narcissistic artist Kieran Vollard (Jemaine Clement), whose art consists of making love while wearing simulated animal heads or satyr horns. Since Julie works with him, Tim feels threatened. Are his intentions purely professional? Vollard is so broadly drawn that it is tough to accept him as a breathing human being. Despite Clement’s enthusiastic performance, his Vollard is a caricature. “Dinner for Schmucks,” rated PG-13, is an uneven comedy with two very fine leads. In a movie in which the writing and directing fall short, it’s the actors who must do the heavy lifting. Carell and Rudd are up to the task. Barry (Steve Carell) and Tim (Paul Rudd) in ‘Dinner for Schmucks.’ by Dennis Seuling “Dinner for Schmucks” is the third film co-starring Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. Their on-screen chemistry is proven and the actors perform comfortably with each other with their great sense of comic timing. Tim Conrad (Rudd) is an analyst working his way up the corporate ladder at a Los Angeles financial firm. He is looking forward to a promotion and a new, prestigious office. He hopes his promotion will impress his girlfriend, Julie (Stephanie Szostak), so that she will finally say yes to his frequent marriage proposals. His boss, Lance Fender (Bruce Greenwood) places one condition on his advancement: He must attend a secret dinner at Fender’s mansion and bring an unusual guest that the company’s top executives can ridicule. Tim accidentally runs into his future dinner companion when his Porsche hits IRS employee Barry Speck (Carell), who is picking up a dead mouse in the street for his hobby. Barry creates meticulous scenic dioramas using mice he has preserved. From this first meeting, Barry becomes part of Tim’s life, causing destruction at every turn. He even manages to put a giant speed bump in Tim’s relationship with Julie. “Dinner for Schmucks” has a similar tone to “The 40Year-Old Virgin,” also starring Carell and Rudd. Initially, viewers laugh at Barry’s social awkwardness and missteps, but come to see him as more than a mere punch line for dumb-guy jokes. Carell manages to make him a real person, though not without a penchant for undermining important meetings, alienating good people, and destroying an apartment. #1 German Restaurant in Bergen & Passaic Counties! SUMMER SCHNITZEL-FEST August 5, 6, 7 & 9 8 Different Schnitzels, Sauerbraten, German Sausages, Fresh Seafood, Prime Rib & Steaks... Something for everyone... including a selection of “smaller plates for the not so hungry” KIRKERS State Line 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 Calling All Crafters and Antique Cars! Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino $ 00 Lunch, New Early Dining & Dinner Menus! German Beers & Wines • Martinis Regular Menu Also Available On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. 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