Synopsis
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.
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Cast
- Paul RuddTim Conrad
- Steve CarellBarry
- Stephanie SzostakJulie
- Jemaine ClementKieran Vollard
- Zach GalifianakisTherman
- Lucy PunchDarla
- Bruce GreenwoodLance Fender
- David WalliamsMüeller
- Ron LivingstonCaldwell
- Larry WilmoreWilliams
Recommendations
- 80
Variety
An uproarious odd-couple remake of Francis Veber's hit French farce "The Dinner Game." - 75
Orlando Sentinel
The situations are painstakingly set up and downright painful to sit through. So enjoy, or endure the appetizers, because with this Dinner, dessert is truly the topper. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
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. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
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. - 67
Tampa Bay Times
Steve Carell's character in Dinner for Schmucks is almost too pitiful for the jokes launched against him to be funny. It is a terrific performance making everyone else's condescension sound harsher than the writers likely intended. - 63
ReelViews
The film is sporadically amusing but gives the impression it should be generating more laughs than it does. - 60
Boxoffice Magazine
In sum, the film is not without its sweetness. Carell's Barry retells the story of his life in dioramas populated completely with costumed, stuffed mice. - 50
Village Voice
Paramount Pictures and director Jay Roach would like to invite you to a dinner they're hosting, at which you are welcome to laugh at these poor jerks. That's a little messed up.
