You, Me & Dupree
Director: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo
Writer: Mike LeSieur
Producers: Scott Stuber, Owen Wilson, Mary Parent
Starring: Owen Wilson, Matt Dillon, Kate Hudson, Michael Douglas
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 108 min
read my spoiler disclaimer
Dupree is a droning series of situations that I didn't find particularly funny. Some of the audience members laughed out loud a few times, but I could tell they weren't much more into it than my cynical sense of humor was. If you've seen the trailer, you've seen the gist (not to mention the funniest parts; which isn't saying much). It reminded me a lot of "Meet the Parents" but without the wit, charm or characterization. I found myself mostly rubbing my eyes with boredom and since I didn't pay this time, I would've left if not for the fact that I had to write this review.
What is supposed to be a comedy, turns into a drama about a bunch of people I didn't really care about. A few attempts at comedy are thrown in, but they just don't work when a newly-wed couple's house is on fire or the poor guy's boss forces him to stay late for a project he hates, which in turn makes his lovely wife very angry with him. It is a series of uncomfortable moments that I just wanted to come to an end.
Owen Wilson plays the same guy he always plays: a free-spirited, lovable guy that is constantly making the wrong decisions. Is he cute, witty and boy-ish? Sure, but isn't he always? His characters seem to always be the same and he just doesn't hold the same presence with me that he once did in films like Bottle Rocket or Zoolander. Matt Dillon tries his best, but his character takes such a drastic turn throughout the movie that he becomes pathetic and bordering on being a real ass instead of likeable. Kate Hudson is nothing special either. I like watching her prance around quite often in bathing suits and underwear, and bascially just cute, tight clothing; but she's just there. Anyone could've played this part.
Predictable predictable, predictable. I knew exactly how everything would turn out before I got 30 minutes into the movie. The middle parts were just a run around the block to get to exactly the same spot where we started. Surprise!
Only the most die-hard Owen Wilson fans will like this movie. If you're in it for the laughs, you'll be disappointed. If you're in it for a good story, you'll be disappointed. If you're in it for the drama, you'll be disappointed. It isn't all that dramatic; just annoying. The tag line of the film? "Two's company, Dupree's a crowd. I couldn't agree more.
Links:
IMDb.com - full cast and crew
Official Site
FLIXSTER PROFILE for You, Me & Dupree
