Movie Review: "Dinner for Schmucks"

Seen on: July 30, 2010

The players: Director: Jay Roach, Writers: David Guion, Michael Handelman, Cast: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis, Lucy Punch

Facts of interest: Roach also helmed "Meet the Parents."

The plot: An executive invites a weird IRS employee to a dinner designed to make fun of idiot guests.

Our thoughts: I had high hopes for Jay Roach’s comedy remake “Dinner for Schmucks,” but unfortunately, I left the theater disappointed. I know it was a mistake to walk into this with very high expectations, but with this great of a cast and splendid source material, you would think they’d come up with something funnier and more refreshing. Alas, this one only goes down as a so-so remake.

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'Dinner for Schmucks' trailer is not tasty

Someone out there thought it would be a great idea to remake France's comedy hit "Le diner de cons," and if I had the chance to, I would love to punch that someone. The first trailer for the Jay Roach-directed flick has landed online, and to tell you the truth, it looks like a solid dose of big-screen crap. At this stage, that's unfortunate, because the film boasts a cast I generally enjoy watching. The film opens July 23, 2010.

Of course, a lot of trailers are deceiving, and "Dinner for Schmucks" could end up being funny. That said, what I saw in this preview didn't even make me smile, and that's not exactly a good start. In the film, a bunch of friends organize a weekly dinner to which they invite the dumbest people they can find. Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and Zach Galifianakis star. I wish I could say this looked tasty, but to me, it doesn't.

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Zach Galifianakis books 'Dinner for Schmucks'

Zach Galifianakis, one of the funny guys in "The Hangover," is in negotiations to join Jay Roach's upcoming "Dinner for Schmucks," a remake of Francis Veber's popular 1998 comedy "Le diner de cons" (The Dinner Game).

Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and Lucy Punch are also on board to star in the project, in which a bunch of friends organize a weekly dinner to which they invite the dumbest people they can find. Variety says Galifianakis would play an assistant manager at a mattress store who's dating the ex-wife of Carell's character.

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Lucy Punch invited to 'Dinner for Schmucks'

Actress Lucy Punch is pretty much set to star in Jay Roach's upcoming "Dinner for Schmucks," a remake of Francis Veber's popular 1998 comedy "Le diner de cons" (The Dinner Game).

Steve Carell and Paul Rudd are also on board to star in the project, in which a bunch of friends organize a weekly dinner to which they invite the dumbest people they can find.

"Schmucks" is set to start production this fall, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The film marks Roach's first big-screen project since 2004's "Meet the Fockers."

As for Punch, her credits include "The Class" and "Hot Fuzz." She also recently joined Woody Allen's upcoming untitled film, which stars Freida Pinto, Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas and Josh Brolin.

Jay Roach attached to helm 'Sexual Failures'

Universal is developing a feature comedy based on Chris Waitt's documentary "A Complete History of My Sexual Failures."

In the original, Waitt embarked on a quest to find out why his ex-girlfriends dumped him.

According to Variety, Jay Roach and Neal H. Moritz are on board to produce the feature remake. Roach is even attached to direct.

The trade says the plot will follow a guy trying to interview every girl he's dated to find out what they think is wrong with him. Jay Reiss is set to write the screenplay.

Roach last directed "Recount" for television. He's currently working on his upcoming comedy "Dinner for Schmucks," the remake of the hilarious French comedy "Le Dîner de cons."

'Dinner for Schmucks' ready to be served

Jay Roach's remake of the 1998 French comedy hit "Le Diner de cons" is finally coming together.

According to Variety, Spyglass Entertainment, Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks will team up to develop the film, with Spyglass and Paramount providing the majority of the budget.

Steve Carell and Paul Rudd are on board to star in the project, in which a bunch of friends organize a weekly dinner to which they invite the dumbest people they can find.

The trade says the film will most likely start principal photography in October. "Schmucks" will mark Roach's first big-screen project since 2004's "Meet the Fockers."

Most recently, the filmmaker received a Emmy for his television movie "Recount."

The original "Diner de cons" was directed by Francis Veber and turned into a huge hit. The comedy starred Thierry Lhermitte, Jacques Villeret, Francis Huster and Daniel Prévost. Very funny movie indeed.

'Little Fockers' moving ahead at Universal

As you may have heard already, there will be a third installment in the popular franchise that started with "Meet the Parents" in 2000 and continued with "Meet the Fockers" in 2004.

Although we haven't heard or read that much about the project for a while now, Universal is apparently fast-tracking the sequel.

At least that's what Steven Zeitchik is reporting at Risky Biz Blog. He writes Universal has hired John Hamburg to write the screenplay. Larry Stuckey wrote an early draft.

Hamburg also worked on the previous "Focker" flicks, and he also directed the dreadful "Along Came Polly. His next flick, "I Love You, Man," will open March 20, 2009.

Zeitchik also reports Jay Roach, who helmed the first two films, will not return to direct. Apparently, he will focus on "Dinner for Schmucks" instead.

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