Dinner for Schmucks Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy tries to get a promotion by bringing an eccentric IRS agent who makes art out of dead mice to a dinner party, and everything hilariously implodes, teaching everyone a valuable lesson about not being a jerk, maybe?

🍿 Dinner for Schmucks: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Invitation to a Deceptive Dinner

Tim, an ambitious executive, is invited to a ‘Dinner for Schmucks’ hosted by his boss. The premise: each guest must bring the most eccentric person they can find. The winner, based on the level of buffoonery, gains favor with the superiors. Tim initially hesitates, finding the idea morally questionable. He knows that securing the invitation could boost his career, a key step to winning the heart of his girlfriend, Julie.

Meeting Barry: The Accidental ‘Schmuck’

Fate intervenes when Tim accidentally hits Barry with his car. Barry, an IRS employee with a peculiar hobby – taxidermied mice dioramas – seems the perfect ‘schmuck’ for the dinner. Tim’s pursuit of Barry leads to a series of increasingly chaotic events, turning Tim’s orderly life upside down. Barry, oblivious to Tim’s true intentions, genuinely seeks to help Tim, resulting in comical mishaps.

Chaos Ensues: Barry’s Well-Intentioned Mayhem

Barry’s attempts to assist Tim backfire spectacularly, sabotaging Tim’s business deals and romantic prospects. Misunderstandings pile up as Barry’s eccentricities clash with Tim’s attempts to maintain a professional image. The once-clear path to success becomes a minefield of social faux pas and professional blunders. Tim begins to question whether the potential reward of the dinner is worth the cost of his sanity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Barry (Steve Carell): An IRS employee with a passion for creating art from taxidermied mice, who unwittingly disrupts Tim’s life.
• Tim (Paul Rudd): A rising executive who plans to bring Barry to a ‘dinner for idiots’ to get a promotion, but learns a valuable lesson.
• Julie (Stephanie Szostak): Tim’s girlfriend, an art gallery curator, who disapproves of Tim’s plan to exploit Barry.
• Lance Fender (Bruce Greenwood): Tim’s arrogant boss who hosts the ‘dinner for idiots’ as a means of entertainment and competition.
• Therman (Zach Galifianakis): Barry’s IRS boss and nemesis, who believes he has mind-control powers and complicates Barry’s life.
• Kieran (Jemaine Clement): An eccentric and avant-garde artist who becomes a romantic rival for Julie’s affections.
• Darla (Lucy Punch): Barry’s obsessive and violent ex-girlfriend who stalks both Barry and, mistakenly, Tim.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Barry: “I lost her clitoris.” – Barry explains why his wife left him, showcasing his obliviousness.
• Barry: “Vincent Van Gogh. Everyone said to him, ‘You can’t be a great painter, you only have one ear.’ And you know what he said? ‘I can’t hear you.’” – Barry shares his own life lesson and provides an analogy that makes no sense, capturing his unique perspective.
• Kieran: “I’m an artist, I don’t have to be nice.” – Kieran states his arrogance and justifies his terrible behaviour.
• Blind Swordsman: “I love to paint.” – The Blind Swordsman says he likes to paint. Then, the executive asks, ‘Really? Are you any good?’ He replies, ‘I don’t know.’

💰Box Office

• Budget: $69,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $73,026,337
• Worldwide Gross: $86,855,739

💥 Dinner for Schmucks Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting to laugh my socks off, but I came out feeling…conflicted. Steve Carell is hilarious as Barry, the clueless taxidermist, and Paul Rudd does his best as the straight man. But the humor felt kinda mean-spirited at times. There were parts where I was genuinely cackling, like the whole mind-control bit with Zach Galifianakis. But honestly, I felt bad for Barry. Like, yeah, he’s a total goofball, but did he really deserve to be the butt of everyone’s jokes? The movie does try to redeem itself in the end with the whole ‘be nice to the weirdos’ message, but it still left me feeling a little uneasy. It’s funny, sure, but it could’ve been so much better if it wasn’t so reliant on making fun of people.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Steve Carell and Paul Rudd”
  • “Viewers who appreciate slapstick and absurd humor”
  • “Audiences who enjoy movies with a feel-good message”
  • “Those interested in comedies about social satire”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor and some suggestive content”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Themes of social elitism and ridicule”
  • “Some scenes may be offensive to sensitive viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Entertainment Weekly: “While the cast is undeniably talented, ‘Dinner for Schmucks’ suffers from a reliance on predictable gags and an overextended runtime. The humor feels forced, and the characters lack the depth needed to make the film truly memorable. The movie tries to be heartwarming, but ultimately falls flat.
• Rolling Stone: “Steve Carell and Paul Rudd are funny guys, but they can’t save this remake from mediocrity. ‘Dinner for Schmucks’ has its moments, but it’s ultimately a watered-down version of the French original. It’s a shame to see so much talent wasted on a film that’s simply not that funny.
• Variety: “Jay Roach’s ‘Dinner for Schmucks’ is a hit-or-miss affair, with some genuinely funny moments interspersed with stretches of forced and unfunny comedy. The talented cast does their best, but the script ultimately lets them down. The film is a lightweight and forgettable comedy.

Audience Reactions

Steve Carell’s quirky portrayal of Barry was the highlight for many viewers, making them laugh with his naive antics.: Most viewers found the movie funny and appreciated the cast’s performances, even if they felt the humor could be a bit hit-or-miss.

Overall Consensus: While the cast is talented, ‘Dinner for Schmucks’ is a divisive comedy that struggles to balance its humor with a heartfelt message, resulting in a mixed reception from critics and audiences alike.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dinner for Schmucks is a remake of the 1998 French film Le Dîner de Cons (The Dinner Game).”
• “The mouse dioramas seen in the film were created by Joel Venti and the Chiodo Bros, who also worked on Team America: World Police.”
• “During filming, one of the writers noticed that Steve Carell was left-handed and mentioned it to him. Carell responded that he is not actually left-handed, but that his character is.”

🖥️ How to Watch Dinner for Schmucks?

Dinner for Schmucks is available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+ and can be rented or purchased on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings. Physical copies, including Blu-ray and DVD versions, are widely available for purchase online and in retail stores, offering an alternative for those who prefer owning the movie.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Dinner for Schmucks, you might like these similar films:

• The Dinner Game (1998): It is the original French film that Dinner for Schmucks is based on.
• Office Space (1999): Satirical comedy about the absurdities of corporate culture.
• The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005): Also starring Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, known for its awkward and hilarious comedy.
• Get Him to the Greek (2010): Features a similar dynamic of someone having to wrangle an eccentric personality.

🛒 Dinner for Schmucks Related Products

• Dinner for Schmucks (Blu-ray): Own the outrageous comedy on Blu-ray with special features including deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes looks. A must-have for fans of Steve Carell and Paul Rudd.
• Steve Carell Comedy Collection (DVD): A collection of Steve Carell’s funniest movies, including ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’, ‘Anchorman’, and more. Perfect for a comedy movie night!
• Mouse Taxidermy Kit: Create your own ‘Mousterpieces’ inspired by Barry from the movie! This kit includes everything you need to start your taxidermy art journey. (For novelty purposes only, not recommended for beginners). Ethically sourced and not for children.
• Mind Control Device Toy: Inspired by Therman’s ‘mind control’ abilities, this gag gift toy is a hilarious way to prank your friends and family. Perfect for laughs at parties!

🎧 Soundtrack

Dinner for Schmucks features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Fool on the Hill” – performed by The Beatles
• “Theme from A Summer Place” – performed by Percy Faith
• “You Make My Dreams” – performed by Daryl Hall & John Oates

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

‘Dinner for Schmucks’ | Unscripted | Steve Carell, Paul Rudd

Grab some popcorn and get ready for a hilarious conversation! Steve Carell and Paul Rudd dish on their experiences filming ‘Dinner for Schmucks,’ sharing funny stories and giving us a glimpse into their characters’ minds.

Dinner for Schmucks (2010) -Part2- Bloopers Outtakes Gag Reel Steve Carell & Paul Rudd

Want to see Steve Carell and Paul Rudd crack each other up? Dive into this blooper reel for a behind-the-scenes giggle fest! From flubbed lines to silly antics, this video will have you grinning from ear to ear.

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