← Back to results
Dinner for Schmucks
2010 114 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★5.7
Comedy
Director: Jay Roach
🎭 Based on
«Le Dîner de Cons»
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
EN
Description
Rising executive Tim Conrad works for a boss who hosts a monthly dinner in which the guest who brings the biggest buffoon gets a career-boost. Tim plans on not attending until he meets Barry, a man who builds dioramas using stuffed mice. Barry's blundering but good intentions send Tim's life into a downward spiral, threatening a major business deal and possibly scuttling Tim's engagement to his fiancee.
Budget:
$69M
US Gross:
$73.03M
Worldwide:
$86.39M
Starring
Steve Carell
Actor
Paul Rudd
Actor
Stephanie Szostak
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Dinner for Schmucks is a polarizing American remake that functions best as a standalone, lighthearted comedy rather than a direct adaptation. While viewers frequently praise Steve Carell's committed physical performance, the film is widely criticized for its reliance on clichés and an uneven narrative pace.
| Acting | Steve Carell delivers a standout, highly physical comedic performance that serves as the film's primary anchor. | |
| Production | The taxidermied mouse dioramas provide visually creative and memorable humor. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some appreciate the sincere message about pursuing dreams, while others dismiss the script as a clichéd, uninspired imitation of the original French film. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is a point of contention, with critics split between those who find the film brisk and entertaining and those who feel the narrative drags or suffers from boring stretches. | |
| Adaptation | Views on adaptation fidelity are split: many believe the American version lacks the wit of the French original, while others argue it succeeds as a charming, distinct comedic experience. |