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{{Short description|2010 film by Jay Roach}}
{{Short description|2010 film by Jay Roach}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Dinner for Schmucks
| name = Dinner for Schmucks
Line 13: Line 13:
* [[Steve Carell]]
* [[Steve Carell]]
* [[Paul Rudd]]
* [[Paul Rudd]]
* [[Zach Galifianakis]]
* [[Jemaine Clement]]
* [[Jemaine Clement]]
* [[Jeff Dunham]]
* [[Jeff Dunham]]
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* [[Ron Livingston]]<!---Per poster billing block--->
* [[Ron Livingston]]<!---Per poster billing block--->
}}
}}
| music = [[Theodore Shapiro (composer)|Theodore Shapiro]]
| music = [[Theodore Shapiro]]
| cinematography = Jim Denault
| cinematography = [[Jim Denault]]
| editing = {{Unbulleted list|[[Alan Baumgarten]]|[[Jon Poll]]}}
| editing = {{Unbulleted list|[[Alan Baumgarten]]|[[Jon Poll]]}}
| studio = {{Unbulleted list|[[DreamWorks Pictures]]|[[Spyglass Entertainment]]|Parkes + MacDonald Productions|Everyman Pictures|[[Reliance Entertainment]]<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news |last= Zeitchik |first= Steven | date= July 25, 2010 |url = https://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/25/entertainment/la-ca-schmucks-20100725/4 |title='Dinner for Schmucks': a long time between courses | page = 4 |work= [[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date= July 31, 2010}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2016}}</ref>}}
| studio = {{Unbulleted list|[[DreamWorks Pictures]]|[[Spyglass Entertainment]]|[[Walter F. Parkes|Parkes]] + [[Laurie MacDonald|MacDonald Productions]]|[[Jay Roach|Everyman Pictures]]|[[Reliance Entertainment]]<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news |last= Zeitchik |first= Steven | date= July 25, 2010 |url = https://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/25/entertainment/la-ca-schmucks-20100725/4 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130127104237/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/25/entertainment/la-ca-schmucks-20100725/4 |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 27, 2013 |title='Dinner for Schmucks': a long time between courses | page = 4 |work= [[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date= July 31, 2010}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=April 2016}}}}
| distributor = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|2010|7|30}}
| released = {{Film date|2010|7|30}}
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'''''Dinner for Schmucks''''' is a 2010 American [[comedy film]] directed by [[Jay Roach]] and based on [[Francis Veber]]'s 1998 French film ''[[The Dinner Game|Le Dîner de Cons]]''.
'''''Dinner for Schmucks''''' is a 2010 American [[comedy film]] directed by [[Jay Roach]] and based on [[Francis Veber]]'s 1998 French film ''[[The Dinner Game|Le Dîner de Cons]]''.


Starring [[Steve Carell]], [[Paul Rudd]], [[Jemaine Clement]], [[Jeff Dunham]], [[Bruce Greenwood]] and [[Ron Livingston]], the film tells the story of a rising executive who finds out that his work superiors host a dinner celebrating the [[idiocy]] of their guests. He questions it when he is invited, just as he befriends a man who would be the perfect guest.
Starring [[Steve Carell]] and [[Paul Rudd]], with [[Jemaine Clement]], [[Jeff Dunham]], [[Bruce Greenwood]], and [[Ron Livingston]] in supporting roles, the film tells the story of a rising executive who finds out that his work superiors host a dinner celebrating the [[idiocy]] of their guests. He questions it when he is invited, just as he befriends a man who would be the perfect guest.


''Dinner for Schmucks'' was released in theaters on July 30, 2010 by [[DreamWorks Pictures]] and [[Paramount Pictures]] and grossed $86.9 million against a $69 million budget.
''Dinner for Schmucks'' was released in theaters on July 30, 2010, by [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[DreamWorks Pictures]] and grossed $86.9 million against a $69 million budget.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Tim Conrad ([[Paul Rudd]]) comes up with a way to get wealthy businessman Martin Mueller ([[David Walliams]]) as a client. Impressed by Tim's ingenuity, his boss Lance Fender ([[Bruce Greenwood]]) says Tim is a candidate for a promotion but wants to get to know him better. He invites him to a dinner in which he must find and bring an eccentric person with a special talent to be mocked by the executives; the winner earns a trophy and the executive that brought him or her gets glory. Tim excitedly tells his long-time girlfriend, Julie ([[Stéphanie Szostak]]), about the possible promotion and dinner but she is offended by the idea of inviting strange people to a dinner just to mock them and tells him to refuse the invitation.
Tim Conrad finds a way to get wealthy businessman Martin Mueller as a client. Impressed by Tim's ingenuity, his boss Lance Fender says he is a candidate for a promotion but wants to get to know him better. He invites him to a dinner in which he must find and bring an eccentric person with a special talent to be mocked by the executives; the winner earns a trophy and the executive who brought him or her gets glory.


Tim excitedly tells his long-time girlfriend, Julie, about the possible promotion and dinner but she is offended by the idea of inviting strange people to a dinner just to mock them, telling him to refuse the invitation.
The next day Tim accidentally hits Barry Speck ([[Steve Carell]]) with his car when Barry tries to retrieve a dead mouse from the road. Witnessing Barry's bizarre behavior, including taxidermy and arranging mice into dioramas based on famous artwork, known as "Mousterpieces", Tim realizes he is the perfect idiot for the dinner. Julie finds out Tim is inviting Barry to the dinner and leaves their apartment after Tim insists on going, stating he has to in order to continue providing for them. Barry shows up at Tim's apartment thinking that the dinner event was that same evening, and accidentally invites over Darla ([[Lucy Punch]]), a girl Tim once had a one night stand with and who is obsessed with him. After Tim angrily scolds Barry for inviting Darla over and informs him who she is, Barry takes it upon himself to keep Darla away from Tim and accidentally ends up confronting Julie returning to the apartment. Their conversation leads her to believe Tim is cheating on her and she once again leaves. After Tim realizes what Barry has done he believes Julie may be at the home of Kieran Vollard ([[Jemaine Clement]]), an artist whose work she is selling at a gallery and who has expressed an interest in her.


The next day, Tim accidentally hits Barry Speck with his car as he is trying to retrieve a dead mouse from the road. Witnessing Barry's bizarre behavior, including taxidermy and arranging mice into [[diorama]]s based on famous artwork, "Mousterpieces", Tim realizes he is the perfect idiot for the dinner. Julie finds out Tim is inviting Barry to the dinner and leaves their apartment after Tim insists he must go, as he has to in order to continue providing for them.
Tim and Barry sneak into Vollard's apartment but learn that he is at his ranch. The two return home and Barry lets Darla into the house. Julie calls and asks Tim if he's having an affair and Darla steals the phone and stuffs it down her pants. The call ends abruptly, giving Julie the impression that Tim is, in fact, cheating on her. While Tim hides in his bedroom trying to reach Julie, Darla and Barry get into a bar-style fight, scaring Darla away.


Barry shows up at Tim's apartment thinking the dinner event was that very evening, accidentally inviting over Darla, a female [[pro wrestler]] Tim slept with once, who is obsessed with him. After scolding Barry for inviting Darla over, explaining who she is, Barry takes it upon himself to keep Darla away from Tim, confusing Julie for her. Their conversation leads her to believe Tim is cheating on her and she once again leaves. When Tim realizes what Barry has done, he believes Julie may be at Kieran Vollard's, an artist whose work she is selling at a gallery and who has expressed interest in her.
Barry offers to take Tim to his job at the [[IRS]] to find Vollard's ranch address, where they meet up with Barry's boss and rival, Therman Murche ([[Zach Galifianakis]]) who claims to have the "talent" of mind control, and has authored a book about his talent. Therman is also revealed to have stolen Barry's ex-wife after Barry caught them cheating. Barry, Tim and Therman have a strange encounter at the IRS office, which only results in Tim getting audited. Tim leaves the next day for a brunch with the Mueller and his wife but Barry crashes it, bringing Darla along pretending to be Julie. Tim is pushed by Barry into asking Darla to marry him, and Julie walks in during the proposal. Tim and Barry chase Julie down to Vollard's ranch, where Tim finally snaps at Barry about his actions.


Tim and Barry sneak into Vollard's apartment, but learn Julie is not there. They return to Tim's and Barry lets Darla in. Julie calls and asks Tim if he's having an affair, but Darla steals the phone, stuffing it down her pants. The call ends abruptly, making Julie believe he is cheating. As Tim hides in his bedroom trying to reach Julie, Darla and Barry have a bar-style fight, scaring Darla away.
To his surprise, Tim finds Barry already at the dinner party, having forgiven Tim for his outburst. Barry's antics along with his "Mousterpieces" are a hit with the group, and he is seemingly a shoo-in for the trophy. Unexpectedly, however, Therman arrives as the "guest" of another executive, embarrassing Barry with his mind control. Tim then tells Barry everything and, after some encouragement, gets Barry to defeat Therman by using his own powers of "brain control". Fender congratulates Tim on bringing Barry to the dinner as his idiot, and Tim, offended, insults Fender before defending Barry. The other guests then learn they were brought to the dinner only to be mocked, leading to a chaotic brawl between the guests and the executives. The brawl ultimately leads to Mueller losing his finger and prized family ring and Fender's mansion burning down.


Barry takes Tim to his [[IRS]] office to find Vollard's ranch address, meeting Barry's boss and rival, Therman Murche. He claims to have the "talent" of mind control, and has authored a book about it. He also had stolen Barry's ex-wife after Barry caught them cheating. Barry, Tim and Therman have a strange encounter, which results in Tim getting audited. Tim leaves the next day for a brunch with Mueller and his wife, but Barry crashes it, bringing Darla along pretending to be Julie. Tim is pushed into asking Darla to marry him, and Julie walks in during the proposal. Tim and Barry chase Julie down to Vollard's ranch, where Tim finally snaps at Barry about his actions.
After returning to Tim's apartment, Tim and Julie manage to reconcile with Barry's help. Tim is fired as is Julie after Barry makes Vollard realize it would be a problem to have her continue working for him. Tim and Julie marry, Barry gets to have sex with Darla and also does some artwork with Vollard while Therman writes a book in a [[mental hospital]].

At the dinner party, Tim is surprised to find Barry already at the dinner party, having forgiven Tim for his outburst. Barry's antics along with his "Mousterpieces" are a hit with the group, and he is seemingly a shoo-in for the trophy. Unexpectedly, however, Therman arrives as the "guest" of another executive, embarrassing Barry with his mind control. Tim then tells Barry the truth about the dinner party and, after some encouragement, gets Barry to defeat Therman by using his own powers of "brain control."

Fender congratulates Tim on bringing Barry to the dinner as his idiot, and Tim, offended, insults Fender before defending Barry. The other guests then learn they were brought to the dinner only to be mocked, leading to a chaotic brawl between the guests and the executives. The brawl ultimately leads to Mueller losing his finger and prized family ring and Fender's mansion burning down.

In an epilogue told through a series of Barry's "Mousterpieces", Tim and Julie manage to reconcile with Barry's help. Tim is fired, as is Julie, after Barry makes Vollard realize it would be a problem to have her continue working for him. Tim and Julie marry, Barry gets to have sex with Darla and also does some artwork with Vollard while Therman writes a book in a [[mental hospital]]. Fender Financial, meanwhile, went out of business, leaving Fender to be named as Wall Street’s biggest loser.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
{{Cast listing|
* [[Paul Rudd]] as Tim Conrad
* [[Steve Carell]] as Barry Speck
* [[Steve Carell]] as Barry Speck
* [[Paul Rudd]] as Tim Conrad
* [[Stéphanie Szostak]] as Julie
* [[Stéphanie Szostak]] as Julie
* [[Jemaine Clement]] as Kieran Vollard
* [[Jemaine Clement]] as Kieran Vollard
Line 81: Line 88:
| work = [[Los Angeles Times]]
| work = [[Los Angeles Times]]
| access-date = August 5, 2010
| access-date = August 5, 2010
| archive-date = November 9, 2021
}}</ref> Filming of the dinner scene took place at the same location as was used for [[Wayne Manor]] in the [[Batman (TV series)|1960s ''Batman'' television series]].<ref>{{cite news
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109001734/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/schmucks-cats-dogs-and-zac-efron-will-all-open-behind-inception.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Filming of the dinner scene took place at the same location that was used for [[Wayne Manor]] in the [[Batman (TV series)|1960s ''Batman'' television series]].<ref>{{cite news
| date = May 2, 2010
| date = May 2, 2010
| author = Yvonne Villarreal
| author = Yvonne Villarreal
| title = Summer Sneaks: ‘Dinner for Schmucks’. Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, together again
| title = Summer Sneaks: 'Dinner for Schmucks'. Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, together again
| url = https://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/02/entertainment/la-ca-schmucks-20100502
| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-may-02-la-ca-schmucks-20100502-story.html
| newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]]
| newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]]
| pages = 2
| pages = 2
| access-date = August 15, 2024
| archive-date = June 27, 2023
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230627094809/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-may-02-la-ca-schmucks-20100502-story.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


''Dinner for Schmucks'' is the American adaptation of the French film ''[[The Dinner Game|Le Dîner de Cons]]'' (literally, "The Dinner of Idiots"). The film retains many familiar elements of the original, with the basic plot, including the involvement of the taxation authorities and the love triangle around the main character Tim. In the remake, however, Tim is made much more sympathetic (this is the first dinner he has participated in, and he is not in fact having an affair or deliberately cheating on his taxes), and the actual dinner is shown. Director Roach describes the film as "inspired by" the original rather than a remake.<ref name="hollywoodnews.com-interview">{{cite news
''Dinner for Schmucks'' is the American adaptation of the French film ''[[The Dinner Game|Le Dîner de Cons]]'' (literally, "The Dinner of Idiots"). The film retains many familiar elements of the original, with the basic plot, including the involvement of the taxation authorities and the love triangle around the main character Tim. In the remake, however, Tim is made much more sympathetic (this is the first dinner he has participated in, and he is not in fact having an affair or deliberately cheating on his taxes), and the actual dinner is shown. Director Roach describes the film as "inspired by" the original rather than a remake.<ref name="hollywoodnews.com-interview">{{cite news
| date = July 26, 2010
| date = July 26, 2010
| last = O’Connell | first = Sean
| last = O’Connell
| first = Sean
| title = Interview: "Dinner for Schmucks" director Jay Roach on Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and Sacha Baron Cohen
| title = Interview: "Dinner for Schmucks" director Jay Roach on Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and Sacha Baron Cohen
| url = http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2010/07/26/interview-dinner-for-schmucks-director-jay-roach-on-steve-carell-paul-rudd-and-sacha-baron-cohen/
| url = http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2010/07/26/interview-dinner-for-schmucks-director-jay-roach-on-steve-carell-paul-rudd-and-sacha-baron-cohen/
| work = hollywoodnews.com
| work = hollywoodnews.com
| access-date = August 26, 2010
| access-date = August 26, 2010
| archive-date = December 31, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101231203438/http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2010/07/26/interview-dinner-for-schmucks-director-jay-roach-on-steve-carell-paul-rudd-and-sacha-baron-cohen/
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


===Title===
===Title===
Debate ensued{{where|date=February 2013}}{{when|date=February 2013}} about the title's usage of the Yiddish word [[Schmuck (pejorative)|schmucks]] which is a mild cultural insult similar to "[[idiot]]" which technically refers to 'male genitals'.
Debate ensued{{where|date=February 2013}}{{when|date=February 2013}} about the title's usage of the Yiddish word [[Schmuck (pejorative)|schmucks]] which is a mild cultural insult similar to "[[idiot]]" which technically refers to the [[penis]].
[[Debbie Schlussel]] asked whether the title should have been ''Dinner for [[List of English words of Yiddish origin|Schlemiels]]'' as it would better describe the clumsy character played by Steve Carell.<ref>{{cite web
[[Debbie Schlussel]] asked whether the title should have been ''Dinner for [[List of English words of Yiddish origin|Schlemiels]]'' as it would better describe the clumsy character played by Steve Carell.<ref>{{cite web
| date = April 7, 2010
| date = April 7, 2010
Line 108: Line 126:
| url = http://www.debbieschlussel.com/20212/dinner-for-schmucks-hollywood-brings-us-more-garbage-for-summer-movie-season/
| url = http://www.debbieschlussel.com/20212/dinner-for-schmucks-hollywood-brings-us-more-garbage-for-summer-movie-season/
| access-date = August 3, 2010
| access-date = August 3, 2010
| archive-date = August 2, 2010
}}
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100802001153/http://www.debbieschlussel.com/20212/dinner-for-schmucks-hollywood-brings-us-more-garbage-for-summer-movie-season
</ref>
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
Responding in ''[[The New York Times]]'', critic [[Michael Cieply]] determined that the intent was to be ambiguous as to which of the two main characters, played by [[Steve Carell]] and [[Paul Rudd]], was the intended idiot.<ref>{{cite news
Responding in ''[[The New York Times]]'', critic [[Michael Cieply]] determined that the intent was to be ambiguous as to which of the two main characters, played by [[Steve Carell]] and [[Paul Rudd]], was the intended idiot.<ref>{{cite news
| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/movies/04dinner.html
| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/movies/04dinner.html
| title= Much Movie Title Meshugas
| title= Much Movie Title Meshugas
| author = Michael Cieply
| author= Michael Cieply
| author-link = Michael Cieply
| author-link= Michael Cieply
| publisher= [[The New York Times]]
| work= [[The New York Times]]
| date= May 4, 2010
| date= May 4, 2010
| access-date= August 3, 2010
| access-date= August 3, 2010
| archive-date= May 13, 2010
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100513203117/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/movies/04dinner.html
| url-status= live
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


In ''[[The Forward]]'', Laura Hodes suggested that 'schmucks' correctly referred instead to the behavior of the film's antagonists, the bosses of Rudd's character.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.forward.com/articles/129781/ | title= Of 'Schmucks' and Schlemiels | author= Laura Hodes | publisher= [[The Forward]] | date= August 3, 2010 | access-date= August 3, 2010 }}</ref>
In ''[[The Forward]]'', Laura Hodes suggested that 'schmucks' correctly referred instead to the behavior of the film's antagonists, the bosses of Rudd's character.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.forward.com/articles/129781/ | title= Of 'Schmucks' and Schlemiels | author= Laura Hodes | publisher= [[The Forward]] | date= August 3, 2010 | access-date= August 3, 2010 | archive-date= December 29, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101229214941/http://www.forward.com/articles/129781/ | url-status= live }}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
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===Marketing===
===Marketing===
As part of promoting the film, the website [[Funny or Die]] featured videos of Jemaine Clement in character as Kieran Vollard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://screencrave.com/2010-07-16/new-dinner-for-schmucks-clip-and-character-features/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726073044/http://screencrave.com/2010-07-16/new-dinner-for-schmucks-clip-and-character-features/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |title=New Dinner for Schmucks Clip and Character Features |publisher=Screencrave.com |date=July 16, 2010 |access-date=August 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.funnyordie.com/dinner_for_schmucks |title=Dinner_For_Schmucks on Funny or Die |publisher=Funnyordie.com |access-date=August 5, 2010}}</ref>
As part of promoting the film, the website [[Funny or Die]] featured videos of Jemaine Clement in character as Kieran Vollard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://screencrave.com/2010-07-16/new-dinner-for-schmucks-clip-and-character-features/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726073044/http://screencrave.com/2010-07-16/new-dinner-for-schmucks-clip-and-character-features/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |title=New Dinner for Schmucks Clip and Character Features |publisher=Screencrave.com |date=July 16, 2010 |access-date=August 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.funnyordie.com/dinner_for_schmucks |title=Dinner_For_Schmucks on Funny or Die |publisher=Funnyordie.com |access-date=August 5, 2010 |archive-date=July 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719215801/http://www.funnyordie.com/dinner_for_schmucks |url-status=live }}</ref>


The film's first trailer debuted with ''[[Date Night]]'', ''[[Death at a Funeral (2010 film)|Death at a Funeral]]'', and ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010 film)|A Nightmare on Elm Street]]''. The second trailer was shown before select screenings of ''[[The A-Team (film)|The A-Team]]'', ''[[Get Him to the Greek]]'', ''[[Grown Ups (film)|Grown Ups]]'', and ''[[Inception]]''.
The film's first trailer debuted with ''[[Date Night]]'', ''[[Death at a Funeral (2010 film)|Death at a Funeral]]'', and ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010 film)|A Nightmare on Elm Street]]''. The second trailer was shown before select screenings of ''[[The A-Team (film)|The A-Team]]'', ''[[Get Him to the Greek]]'', ''[[Grown Ups (film)|Grown Ups]]'', and ''[[Inception]]''.

===Box office===
''Dinner for Schmucks'' made $8.4 million on its first day, ranking number two at the box office, behind ''Inception''. The film earned $23.5 million on its opening weekend, placing it second overall for the weekend of July 30 to August 1.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web
| title = Dinner for Schmucks (2010)
| url = https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=dinnerforschmucks.htm
| work = [[Box Office Mojo]]
| publisher = [[Amazon.com]]
| access-date = November 30, 2011
}}</ref> It ultimately grossed $73 million in North America and $13.4 million internationally, for a total of $86.4 million worldwide. The film was released in the [[United Kingdom]] on September 3, 2010, and opened on #2, behind ''[[The Last Exorcism]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title= Weekend box office 3rd September 2010 - 5th September 2010 |publisher= www.25thframe.co.uk |url= http://www.25thframe.co.uk/charts/chart.php?chart=20100903 |access-date= April 17, 2017 |archive-date= October 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171006012519/http://www.25thframe.co.uk/charts/chart.php?chart=20100903 |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Home media===
''Dinner for Schmucks'' was released on [[DVD-Video|DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] Disc on January 4, 2011.


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{Anchor|Critics}}
{{Anchor|Critics}}
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film holds an approval rating of 42% based on 190 reviews, with an average rating of 5.32/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "It doesn't honor its source material—or its immensely likable leads—as well as it should, but ''Dinner for Schmucks'' offers fitfully nourishing comedy."<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film holds an approval rating of 42% based on 191 reviews, with an average rating of 5.40/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "It doesn't honor its source material—or its immensely likable leads—as well as it should, but ''Dinner for Schmucks'' offers fitfully nourishing comedy."<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web
| url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dinner_for_schmucks/
| url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dinner_for_schmucks/
| title = Dinner for Schmucks
| title = Dinner for Schmucks
| work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
| work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
| publisher = [[Fandango (company)|Fandango]]
| publisher = [[Fandango Media|Fandango]]
| access-date= November 28, 2020
| access-date = November 9, 2021
| archive-date = October 30, 2021
}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211030220834/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dinner_for_schmucks
| url = https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/dinnerforschmucks| title = Dinner for Schmucks| work = [[Metacritic]]| publisher = [[CBS]]|access-date = November 30, 2011}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |date= 1 August 2010 |last1= Finke |first1= Nikki |title= Nolan's 'Inception' #1 For 3rd Weekend; Carell's 'Dinner For Schmucks' Opens #2; But Zac Efron's 'Charlie St Cloud' Only #6 |url= https://deadline.com/2010/07/first-box-office-dinner-with-schmucks-1-friday-charlie-st-cloud-4-cats-dogs-6-58562/ |website= Deadline Hollywood |quote= Despite poor reviews, the film with its “B” CinemaScore this weekend now is meeting Hollywood’s mid-$20sM expectations. }}</ref>
| url-status = live
}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web| url = https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/dinnerforschmucks| title = Dinner for Schmucks| work = [[Metacritic]]| publisher = [[CBS]]| access-date = November 30, 2011| archive-date = August 2, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100802053153/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/dinnerforschmucks?| url-status = live}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |date= August 1, 2010 |last1= Finke |first1= Nikki |title= Nolan's 'Inception' #1 For 3rd Weekend; Carell's 'Dinner For Schmucks' Opens #2; But Zac Efron's 'Charlie St Cloud' Only #6 |url= https://deadline.com/2010/07/first-box-office-dinner-with-schmucks-1-friday-charlie-st-cloud-4-cats-dogs-6-58562/ |website= Deadline Hollywood |quote= Despite poor reviews, the film with its “B” CinemaScore this weekend now is meeting Hollywood’s mid-$20sM expectations. |access-date= December 3, 2019 |archive-date= December 3, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191203205537/https://deadline.com/2010/07/first-box-office-dinner-with-schmucks-1-friday-charlie-st-cloud-4-cats-dogs-6-58562/ |url-status= live }}</ref>


[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film 3 out of 4:{{cquote|The genius of this version depends on the performance by Steve Carell, who plays Barry Speck as a man impervious to insult and utterly at peace with himself. He's truly a transcendent idiot.<ref>{{cite web
[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film 3 out of 4:{{cquote|The genius of this version depends on the performance by Steve Carell, who plays Barry Speck as a man impervious to insult and utterly at peace with himself. He's truly a transcendent idiot.<ref>{{cite web
Line 145: Line 182:
| first = Roger
| first = Roger
| author-link = Roger Ebert
| author-link = Roger Ebert
| title = Dinner for Schmucks movie review (2010) |url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dinner-for-schmucks-2010
| title = Dinner for Schmucks movie review (2010)
| url = https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dinner-for-schmucks-2010
| website = [[Chicago Sun-Times]]
| website = [[Chicago Sun-Times]]
| access-date = December 3, 2019
| archive-date = December 3, 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191203210048/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dinner-for-schmucks-2010
| url-status = live
}}</ref>}}
}}</ref>}}

===Box office===
''Dinner for Schmucks'' made $8.4 million on its first day, ranking number two at the box office, behind ''[[Inception]]''. The film earned $23.5 million on its opening weekend, placing it second overall for the weekend of July 30 to August 1.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web
| title = Dinner for Schmucks (2010)
| url = https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=dinnerforschmucks.htm
| work = [[Box Office Mojo]]
| publisher = [[Amazon.com]]
| access-date = November 30, 2011
}}</ref> ''Dinner for Schmucks'' ultimately grossed $73 million in North America and $13.4 million internationally, for a total of $86.4 million worldwide. The film was released in the [[United Kingdom]] on September 3, 2010, and opened on #2, behind ''[[The Last Exorcism]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title= Weekend box office 3rd September 2010 - 5th September 2010 |publisher= www.25thframe.co.uk |url= http://www.25thframe.co.uk/charts/chart.php?chart=20100903 |access-date= 17 April 2017 }}</ref>

===Home media===
''Dinner for Schmucks'' was released on [[DVD-Video|DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] Disc on January 4, 2011.

==Remakes/inspirations==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;"
!Year
!Film
!Language
!Cast
!Director
|-
| 1998
|[[The Dinner Game|''Le Dîner de Cons'']]
|[[French language|French]]
|[[Jacques Villeret]], [[Thierry Lhermitte]], [[Daniel Prévost]], [[Alexandra Vandernoot]], [[Catherine Frot]]
|[[Francis Veber]]
|-
| 2007
|[[Bheja Fry (film)|''Bheja Fry'']]
|[[Hindi]]
|[[Rajat Kapoor]], [[Vinay Pathak]], [[Sarika]]
|[[Sagar Ballary]]
|-
| 2008
|''[[Mr. Garagasa]]''
|[[Kannada]]
|[[Komal (actor)|Komal Kumar]], [[Anant Nag]], [[Aishwarya (actress)|Aishwarya]]
|[[Dinesh Baboo]]
|-
| 2010
|[[April Fool (2010 film)|''April Fool'']]
|[[Malayalam]]
|[[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]], [[Jagadish]], [[Navya Natarajan]], [[Biju Menon]], [[Jagathy Sreekumar]]
|[[Viji Thampi]]
|-
| 2010
|''Dinner for Schmucks''
|[[Lists of American films|English]]
|[[Steve Carell]], [[Paul Rudd]], [[Stéphanie Szostak]], [[Jemaine Clement]], [[Lucy Punch]], [[Zach Galifianakis]], [[Bruce Greenwood]]
|[[Jay Roach]]
|-
|}


==Accolades==
==Accolades==
{{Anchor|Awards|Nominations}}
{{Anchor|Awards|Nominations}}
In 2010, [[Steve Carell]] was nominated for the [[Satellite Award]] for Best Actor for his performance as Barry Speck.
In 2010, Steve Carell was nominated for the [[Satellite Award]] for Best Actor for his performance as Barry Speck.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}


==References==
==References==
Line 210: Line 200:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|http://www.dinnerforschmucks.com}}{{Dead link|date=December 2016}}
* {{IMDb title|0427152|Dinner for Schmucks}}
* {{IMDb title|0427152|Dinner for Schmucks}}
* {{Amg movie|380050|Dinner for Schmucks}}
* {{Amg movie|380050|Dinner for Schmucks}}
Line 218: Line 207:


{{Jay Roach}}
{{Jay Roach}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Dinner For Schmucks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dinner For Schmucks}}
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[[Category:American screwball comedy films]]
[[Category:American screwball comedy films]]
[[Category:American slapstick comedy films]]
[[Category:American slapstick comedy films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Pictures films]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Pictures films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Films about animal rights]]
[[Category:Films about animal rights]]
[[Category:Films about human rights]]
[[Category:Films about human rights]]
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[[Category:2010 comedy films]]
[[Category:2010 comedy films]]
[[Category:Films produced by Walter F. Parkes]]
[[Category:Films produced by Walter F. Parkes]]
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s American films]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Francis Veber]]

Latest revision as of 21:34, 17 September 2024

Dinner for Schmucks
Steve Carell grinning maniacally stares from over Paul Rudd's shoulder
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJay Roach
Screenplay by
  • David Guion
  • Michael Handelman
Based onLe Dîner de Cons
by Francis Veber
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJim Denault
Edited by
Music byTheodore Shapiro
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • July 30, 2010 (2010-07-30)
Running time
114 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$62.7–69 million[2]
Box office$86.9 million[3]

Dinner for Schmucks is a 2010 American comedy film directed by Jay Roach and based on Francis Veber's 1998 French film Le Dîner de Cons.

Starring Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, with Jemaine Clement, Jeff Dunham, Bruce Greenwood, and Ron Livingston in supporting roles, the film tells the story of a rising executive who finds out that his work superiors host a dinner celebrating the idiocy of their guests. He questions it when he is invited, just as he befriends a man who would be the perfect guest.

Dinner for Schmucks was released in theaters on July 30, 2010, by Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures and grossed $86.9 million against a $69 million budget.

Plot

[edit]

Tim Conrad finds a way to get wealthy businessman Martin Mueller as a client. Impressed by Tim's ingenuity, his boss Lance Fender says he is a candidate for a promotion but wants to get to know him better. He invites him to a dinner in which he must find and bring an eccentric person with a special talent to be mocked by the executives; the winner earns a trophy and the executive who brought him or her gets glory.

Tim excitedly tells his long-time girlfriend, Julie, about the possible promotion and dinner but she is offended by the idea of inviting strange people to a dinner just to mock them, telling him to refuse the invitation.

The next day, Tim accidentally hits Barry Speck with his car as he is trying to retrieve a dead mouse from the road. Witnessing Barry's bizarre behavior, including taxidermy and arranging mice into dioramas based on famous artwork, "Mousterpieces", Tim realizes he is the perfect idiot for the dinner. Julie finds out Tim is inviting Barry to the dinner and leaves their apartment after Tim insists he must go, as he has to in order to continue providing for them.

Barry shows up at Tim's apartment thinking the dinner event was that very evening, accidentally inviting over Darla, a female pro wrestler Tim slept with once, who is obsessed with him. After scolding Barry for inviting Darla over, explaining who she is, Barry takes it upon himself to keep Darla away from Tim, confusing Julie for her. Their conversation leads her to believe Tim is cheating on her and she once again leaves. When Tim realizes what Barry has done, he believes Julie may be at Kieran Vollard's, an artist whose work she is selling at a gallery and who has expressed interest in her.

Tim and Barry sneak into Vollard's apartment, but learn Julie is not there. They return to Tim's and Barry lets Darla in. Julie calls and asks Tim if he's having an affair, but Darla steals the phone, stuffing it down her pants. The call ends abruptly, making Julie believe he is cheating. As Tim hides in his bedroom trying to reach Julie, Darla and Barry have a bar-style fight, scaring Darla away.

Barry takes Tim to his IRS office to find Vollard's ranch address, meeting Barry's boss and rival, Therman Murche. He claims to have the "talent" of mind control, and has authored a book about it. He also had stolen Barry's ex-wife after Barry caught them cheating. Barry, Tim and Therman have a strange encounter, which results in Tim getting audited. Tim leaves the next day for a brunch with Mueller and his wife, but Barry crashes it, bringing Darla along pretending to be Julie. Tim is pushed into asking Darla to marry him, and Julie walks in during the proposal. Tim and Barry chase Julie down to Vollard's ranch, where Tim finally snaps at Barry about his actions.

At the dinner party, Tim is surprised to find Barry already at the dinner party, having forgiven Tim for his outburst. Barry's antics along with his "Mousterpieces" are a hit with the group, and he is seemingly a shoo-in for the trophy. Unexpectedly, however, Therman arrives as the "guest" of another executive, embarrassing Barry with his mind control. Tim then tells Barry the truth about the dinner party and, after some encouragement, gets Barry to defeat Therman by using his own powers of "brain control."

Fender congratulates Tim on bringing Barry to the dinner as his idiot, and Tim, offended, insults Fender before defending Barry. The other guests then learn they were brought to the dinner only to be mocked, leading to a chaotic brawl between the guests and the executives. The brawl ultimately leads to Mueller losing his finger and prized family ring and Fender's mansion burning down.

In an epilogue told through a series of Barry's "Mousterpieces", Tim and Julie manage to reconcile with Barry's help. Tim is fired, as is Julie, after Barry makes Vollard realize it would be a problem to have her continue working for him. Tim and Julie marry, Barry gets to have sex with Darla and also does some artwork with Vollard while Therman writes a book in a mental hospital. Fender Financial, meanwhile, went out of business, leaving Fender to be named as Wall Street’s biggest loser.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The budget for the film was split between the distributor Paramount Pictures, as well as DreamWorks Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment. The production budget was $69 million, but with tax credits the cost came in at $62.7 million.[2] Filming of the dinner scene took place at the same location that was used for Wayne Manor in the 1960s Batman television series.[4]

Dinner for Schmucks is the American adaptation of the French film Le Dîner de Cons (literally, "The Dinner of Idiots"). The film retains many familiar elements of the original, with the basic plot, including the involvement of the taxation authorities and the love triangle around the main character Tim. In the remake, however, Tim is made much more sympathetic (this is the first dinner he has participated in, and he is not in fact having an affair or deliberately cheating on his taxes), and the actual dinner is shown. Director Roach describes the film as "inspired by" the original rather than a remake.[5]

Title

[edit]

Debate ensued[where?][when?] about the title's usage of the Yiddish word schmucks which is a mild cultural insult similar to "idiot" which technically refers to the penis. Debbie Schlussel asked whether the title should have been Dinner for Schlemiels as it would better describe the clumsy character played by Steve Carell.[6] Responding in The New York Times, critic Michael Cieply determined that the intent was to be ambiguous as to which of the two main characters, played by Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, was the intended idiot.[7]

In The Forward, Laura Hodes suggested that 'schmucks' correctly referred instead to the behavior of the film's antagonists, the bosses of Rudd's character.[8]

Release

[edit]

Dinner for Schmucks was pushed back a week to July 30, 2010, to avoid competition with Salt and Inception.[9][10]

Marketing

[edit]

As part of promoting the film, the website Funny or Die featured videos of Jemaine Clement in character as Kieran Vollard.[11][12]

The film's first trailer debuted with Date Night, Death at a Funeral, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. The second trailer was shown before select screenings of The A-Team, Get Him to the Greek, Grown Ups, and Inception.

Box office

[edit]

Dinner for Schmucks made $8.4 million on its first day, ranking number two at the box office, behind Inception. The film earned $23.5 million on its opening weekend, placing it second overall for the weekend of July 30 to August 1.[3] It ultimately grossed $73 million in North America and $13.4 million internationally, for a total of $86.4 million worldwide. The film was released in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2010, and opened on #2, behind The Last Exorcism.[13]

Home media

[edit]

Dinner for Schmucks was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on January 4, 2011.

Reception

[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 42% based on 191 reviews, with an average rating of 5.40/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "It doesn't honor its source material—or its immensely likable leads—as well as it should, but Dinner for Schmucks offers fitfully nourishing comedy."[14] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[15] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.[16]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3 out of 4:

The genius of this version depends on the performance by Steve Carell, who plays Barry Speck as a man impervious to insult and utterly at peace with himself. He's truly a transcendent idiot.[17]

Accolades

[edit]

In 2010, Steve Carell was nominated for the Satellite Award for Best Actor for his performance as Barry Speck.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (July 25, 2010). "'Dinner for Schmucks': a long time between courses". Los Angeles Times. p. 4. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Movie projector: 'Schmucks,' cats, dogs and Zac Efron will all open behind 'Inception'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Dinner for Schmucks (2010)". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  4. ^ Yvonne Villarreal (May 2, 2010). "Summer Sneaks: 'Dinner for Schmucks'. Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, together again". Los Angeles Times. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  5. ^ O’Connell, Sean (July 26, 2010). "Interview: "Dinner for Schmucks" director Jay Roach on Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and Sacha Baron Cohen". hollywoodnews.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
  6. ^ Debbie Schlussel (April 7, 2010). ""Dinner For Schmucks": Hollywood Brings Us More Garbage for Summer Movie Season". Archived from the original on August 2, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  7. ^ Michael Cieply (May 4, 2010). "Much Movie Title Meshugas". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  8. ^ Laura Hodes (August 3, 2010). "Of 'Schmucks' and Schlemiels". The Forward. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  9. ^ "Dinner for Schmucks Delayed – Runs from Salt, Inception". Screencrave.com. June 9, 2010. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  10. ^ Variety magazine, June 9, 2010
  11. ^ "New Dinner for Schmucks Clip and Character Features". Screencrave.com. July 16, 2010. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  12. ^ "Dinner_For_Schmucks on Funny or Die". Funnyordie.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  13. ^ "Weekend box office 3rd September 2010 - 5th September 2010". www.25thframe.co.uk. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  14. ^ "Dinner for Schmucks". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  15. ^ "Dinner for Schmucks". Metacritic. CBS. Archived from the original on August 2, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  16. ^ Finke, Nikki (August 1, 2010). "Nolan's 'Inception' #1 For 3rd Weekend; Carell's 'Dinner For Schmucks' Opens #2; But Zac Efron's 'Charlie St Cloud' Only #6". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019. Despite poor reviews, the film with its "B" CinemaScore this weekend now is meeting Hollywood's mid-$20sM expectations.
  17. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Dinner for Schmucks movie review (2010)". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
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