You, Me & Dupree (D+ or 1.5/4 stars)
It's hard to cure stupid in 'You, Me & Dupree', a so-called comedy directed by Anthony & Joe Russo. Carl Peterson (Matt Dillon) has just married Molly (Kate Hudson), and wedded bliss is apparent. Both have good jobs, live in a nice neighborhood, what could go wrong? Everything is seemingly fine until Carl’s pal, Dupree (Owen Wilson), shows up on his doorstep, crashes, & completely invades he & his wife's privacy. The rest of the film highlights the many juvenile instances in which Dupree overstays his welcome. While there are a few laughs, the movie is mainly horrific (from a comedy standpoint).
Dupree has recently run into some bad luck. Homeless & jobless (after attending Carl & Molly's wedding), Dupree thinks that barging into their home won't be a problem. He sees it as a way of remaining close to his best buddy (really it's almost an obsession). And he also obsesses about living a life free of restraint; he acts like a teenager and expects Carl to react the same way. Carl indulges in this behavior for a while, but really just wants Dupree to get a life. But how can Carl turn him away? Won't he only stay for a few days?
He gives Dupree his living room couch to sleep on, the downstairs bathroom, etc. What the wedded couple fails to realize is that this lazy dude, who chills with the neighborhood kids, backs up their toilet, and throws parties in the middle of the night, will not be leaving any time soon. At first, Molly is disturbed by Dupree's behavior & the effect that he has over Carl. But when it 'appears' that Dupree is moving in on Molly, and Molly is reciprocating, Carl really begins to lose it. Carl is now threatened by his wife, Dupree, & his father-in-law, played by Michael Douglas (what is he doing in this movie?)
If the film has a purpose, it's to show that everyone needs to balance the responsibilities of adulthood, but not neglect the 'teenager' inside you, either. One can't be so serious all of the time. But this message joined with atrocious slapstick comedy makes the film inconsistent & annoying. Speaking of annoying, when did Owen Wilson become annoying? Granted, any funny moments in the movie come from Owen, but I typically find him to be somewhat funnier. Matt Dillon is decent. He thrives in angsty scenes where he has to battle with Michael Douglas. And Kate Hudson is pointless in her role, other than being eye candy as she skimps around in her bikini. Seriously though, none of her lines have resonance, and she's only there for Carl & Dupree to have a go at.
This is obviously a harmless, goofball comedy; so I am not looking for an Oscar-worthy picture, here. But I 'do' expect (with the likes of Wilson, Dillon, Hudson, and Douglas) to be entertained. I cringed at most of the jokes (as most of them fall flat), or I saw them coming. Owen is more annoying than enjoyable. The love story is weak. The slapstick is second-rate. Really, I was just going through the motions & waiting for it all to be over.
Dupree has recently run into some bad luck. Homeless & jobless (after attending Carl & Molly's wedding), Dupree thinks that barging into their home won't be a problem. He sees it as a way of remaining close to his best buddy (really it's almost an obsession). And he also obsesses about living a life free of restraint; he acts like a teenager and expects Carl to react the same way. Carl indulges in this behavior for a while, but really just wants Dupree to get a life. But how can Carl turn him away? Won't he only stay for a few days?
He gives Dupree his living room couch to sleep on, the downstairs bathroom, etc. What the wedded couple fails to realize is that this lazy dude, who chills with the neighborhood kids, backs up their toilet, and throws parties in the middle of the night, will not be leaving any time soon. At first, Molly is disturbed by Dupree's behavior & the effect that he has over Carl. But when it 'appears' that Dupree is moving in on Molly, and Molly is reciprocating, Carl really begins to lose it. Carl is now threatened by his wife, Dupree, & his father-in-law, played by Michael Douglas (what is he doing in this movie?)
If the film has a purpose, it's to show that everyone needs to balance the responsibilities of adulthood, but not neglect the 'teenager' inside you, either. One can't be so serious all of the time. But this message joined with atrocious slapstick comedy makes the film inconsistent & annoying. Speaking of annoying, when did Owen Wilson become annoying? Granted, any funny moments in the movie come from Owen, but I typically find him to be somewhat funnier. Matt Dillon is decent. He thrives in angsty scenes where he has to battle with Michael Douglas. And Kate Hudson is pointless in her role, other than being eye candy as she skimps around in her bikini. Seriously though, none of her lines have resonance, and she's only there for Carl & Dupree to have a go at.
This is obviously a harmless, goofball comedy; so I am not looking for an Oscar-worthy picture, here. But I 'do' expect (with the likes of Wilson, Dillon, Hudson, and Douglas) to be entertained. I cringed at most of the jokes (as most of them fall flat), or I saw them coming. Owen is more annoying than enjoyable. The love story is weak. The slapstick is second-rate. Really, I was just going through the motions & waiting for it all to be over.