Holly
07-21-2006, 08:33 AM
If you're a newlywed, probably the last thing you want is a houseguest.
And, worse yet, a prolonged houseguest. That's just who the just-marrieds played by Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon get in “You, Me and Dupree,” a comedy that's only briefly amusing before it becomes as repetitive and annoying as the unwanted visitor portrayed in the movie by Owen Wilson.
He's an old pal of the Dillon character, who can't bear to throw his pal out (a trait that also could apply easily to the fellow played so well by Dillon's brother, Kevin, on TV's “Entourage”). Although the frequently crude interloper's presence irritates Hudson, she doesn't want to do anything to start off her new marriage on a bad foot, so she's willing to go along with being an impromptu hotelier ... to a point.
Part of the problem with “You, Me and Dupree” is that Hudson and -- especially after his phenomenal work in “Crash” -- Dillon seem too smart to let themselves in for such a predicament, both as the performers they are and the characters they play. Maybe this was the best choice for work they had available at the time, but they've certainly been better-suited to other projects. As for Wilson, he virtually could play his role here in his sleep (and sometimes does, by virtue of the script requirements); his success in “Wedding Crashers” surely has increased his work options, and this is an easy and logical paycheck for him.
Michael Douglas also turns up as Hudson's father and Dillon's boss, and while it's unusual to see him in a project to which he's not central, he's a welcome presence in lending a touch of gravitas to something that otherwise gets almost dizzy with its frothiness.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have a mixed track record; they've worked on the noteworthy television series “Arrested Development” and “Lucky,” but they're also responsible for the movie “Welcome to Mooseport,” which also tried (and generally failed) to build something funny on the foibles of ordinary people. “You, Me and Dupree” doesn't advance their batting average much, but at the very least, it's a primer on who not to open the door for if you've just said “I do.”
(Rated PG-13)
And, worse yet, a prolonged houseguest. That's just who the just-marrieds played by Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon get in “You, Me and Dupree,” a comedy that's only briefly amusing before it becomes as repetitive and annoying as the unwanted visitor portrayed in the movie by Owen Wilson.
He's an old pal of the Dillon character, who can't bear to throw his pal out (a trait that also could apply easily to the fellow played so well by Dillon's brother, Kevin, on TV's “Entourage”). Although the frequently crude interloper's presence irritates Hudson, she doesn't want to do anything to start off her new marriage on a bad foot, so she's willing to go along with being an impromptu hotelier ... to a point.
Part of the problem with “You, Me and Dupree” is that Hudson and -- especially after his phenomenal work in “Crash” -- Dillon seem too smart to let themselves in for such a predicament, both as the performers they are and the characters they play. Maybe this was the best choice for work they had available at the time, but they've certainly been better-suited to other projects. As for Wilson, he virtually could play his role here in his sleep (and sometimes does, by virtue of the script requirements); his success in “Wedding Crashers” surely has increased his work options, and this is an easy and logical paycheck for him.
Michael Douglas also turns up as Hudson's father and Dillon's boss, and while it's unusual to see him in a project to which he's not central, he's a welcome presence in lending a touch of gravitas to something that otherwise gets almost dizzy with its frothiness.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have a mixed track record; they've worked on the noteworthy television series “Arrested Development” and “Lucky,” but they're also responsible for the movie “Welcome to Mooseport,” which also tried (and generally failed) to build something funny on the foibles of ordinary people. “You, Me and Dupree” doesn't advance their batting average much, but at the very least, it's a primer on who not to open the door for if you've just said “I do.”
(Rated PG-13)