This is a film that has not been well reviewed. Most critics revile it to some degree. Sometimes critics as a group don't get it, specially when a film is aimed directly at the lower brow. Unfortunately, I cannot really judge this film fairly. The reason is simple, I cannot stand this type of comedy. The comedy of extreme embarrassment just gives me flashbacks to various points in my own life I'd rather not recall.
The story is simple. Paul Rudd is an up and comer and is trying to get in good with the bosses. They have a monthly dinner where they bring the most idiotic person they can find and make fun of them. Of course our hero says no, but then literally runs into Steve Carell who is a perfect idiot. He spends his days making cute art with dead mice. Once together Steve makes Paul's life into a perfect hell as they head to the dinner.
Besides extreme embarrassment, I find this film creepy. Not take a shower creepy, but certainly I felt the need for a moist wipe. Steve Carell is a good comedian but his character is essentially unlikeable. Paul being the straight man is bland, and practically everyone else is just annoying. The only good scenes I found were between Carell and his crazy boss played by Zach Galifiankis.
Just on a personal side note: The dead mice art was supposed to be idiotic, but I found them oddly beautiful and enchanting. Which runs counter of course to goal of the film. Anyway, I just didn't like this. Take that what you will.
STRANGE SPANNERS being an accounting of strangeness of the warp and woof of my mind For those of you new here, think of this as 1/2 "Night Gallery" Our Motto: Nos somnium quisnam es futurus fatum quod insolitus tutus vos!
I seriously recommend you check out the original, Le Diner de Cons (The Dinner Game) if you haven't already seen it. It's one of the best comedies I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of personality in the lead males may have helped, as it kept the balance. Steve, thru lack of social skill, causes huge problems for Paul, while Paul plans to potentially embarrass Steve. It never lost that balance, and though perhaps inept in his personal interactions and social grace, Steve is by no means an idiot--more the Dreamer he speaks of. When the folks you are trying to make fun of don't get that you're even doing that, it takes your power away. I found the dinner to be much tamer than expected. (Note how the Swiss gentleman reacts--you have to be a thinking person to be worried about who is being made fun of.)
ReplyDeleteAs Lazarus says, the mouse shadow boxes are quite amazing and take skill, as does holding a position with the IRS. Somehow this missed the boat on a lot of counts, but not necessarily in a bad way.