You, Me and Dupree (2006)

You and me and one good time...

I walked into `You, Me and Dupree' expecting nothing much. I actually expected to dread the entire experience. Surprisingly though, `You, Me and Dupree' is not your typical `buddy comedy' and it goes in directions I didn't expect to see from this type of film. It has its missteps, that's for sure, but it makes up for them with some smart scripting and some sincere performances.

The film opens at the wedding between Carl and Molly. Carl's best man is Dupree and the two of them couldn't be any more different. Carl has a stable job working for Molly's overprotective father; he has a home and responsibilities and a good solid outlook on life in general. Dupree on the other hand is somewhat of a slacker; a big kid if you will, and shortly after the wedding is through Dupree tells Carl that he lost his job and lost his apartment and is currently sleeping on a cot in the bar they frequent. Feeling sorry for Dupree's state of affairs, Carl decides to let him stay with him and Molly until he gets on his feet. The problem is that Dupree doesn't seem to be too determined to get on his feet. Instead he wants to relive his childhood with Carl.

This is where the film takes a nice little turn of events. What I initially thought was going to turn into a `boys should never grow up' type movie with the token bum best friend teaching the responsible married guy that it's okay to act like a child every once in a while actually turned into something completely different.

Dupree quickly overstays his welcome but when he has no where else to turn Molly has a change of heart (she initially forced Carl to throw Dupree out) and Dupree is allowed back into their home if he promises to clean up his act. Dupree does a complete 180 and begins to actually carry his weight, making up for his past mistakes and then some. His newfound sense of responsibility begins though to ware on Carl who is suffering at the hands of his boss, Molly's father, who will stop at nothing to ruin his daughter's marriage. This stress causes Carl to overreact on far too many occasions and creates a rift in his relationship with Dupree and Molly.

I am not one who adores Owen Wilson. When he is paired with Ben Stiller I think they create a fabulous team and complement each other flawlessly. When he is paired with anyone else I am usually left wanting. He was outshone drastically by Vince Vaughn in `Wedding Crashers' and his pairing with Jackie Chan made me really miss Chris Tucker. Here though he holds his own and delivers a sincere and heartfelt performance. I was quite shocked. Michael Douglas is great at playing this type of deadpan jerk and he does wonderful here as well, and Kate Hudson, looking beautiful as ever, manages to make her character more than background window dressing. Matt Dillon is always `take or leave' with me and here I can't say that I am truly swayed one way or the other. He was serviceable, but Wilson cleaned the floor with him. Seth Rogan has some truly hilarious scenes (no wonder he's considered the next Will Ferrell) and serves as a highlight to the film.

I had a few issues with the film, most notable the `far too easy' reconciliation between Carl and Molly's father (especially since the film seemed to try and take a more serious route to the subject of marriage and relationships ala `The Breakup'). I thought that Dupree's speech at the school was a little forced and not as effective as they tried to pass it off as and I thought that the subplot with Dupree falling head over heals with the school librarian was weak and clichéd, but those few falters aside `You, Me and Dupree' is far from typical and far from worthless.

I recommend this film, especially to those who, like me, passed this over thinking it would be nothing more than a few failed jokes. `You, Me and Dupree' has heart and is worth your time and attention. June 23, 2008

jealous of a slacker

A newly married man let's his slacker friend move in and then gets jealous that his wife might like her more. It starts out as a good romantic comedy but turns into a seriously boring story. Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson didn't have much chemistry, no wonder their real life relationship didn't work. June 4, 2008

An O.K. movie

I bought this movie after seeing that Owen Wilson was in it.( I have been obsessed with him ever since Wedding Crashers: awesome movie.) The acting was good and everything but it just wasn't funny. It was not what I thought it would be at all! I don't see the romantic comedy part at all...
So I give it two stars because it only gave me a chuckle or two at the most. May 27, 2008

Who in their right minds....?

Who in his or her right minds would allow behavior like their guest Owen Wilson's and permit him to remain with them for even a night? Has our concept of friendship dipped so low that we feel obligated to allow a "friend" to treat us so abysmally? OK, for purposes of the movie we suspend our everyday notions of ethics and morals so that we can have a comedy. Unfortunately, it is not believable in any respect, even as comedy. It is not funny, and I like funny! Even worse, it is not clever. It wastes Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon's abilities and demands much more than Owen Wlson is able to deliver! Deserves a zero rating or even less. Can we do that on our Amazon.com ratings? I haven't tried to see if Amazon's software will accept a no-star rating. I must try that when I encounter another turkey like this one. April 11, 2008

"We heard there were some bad boys in here"

This is an average romantic comedy, with some straightforward humor and a simple and predictable story. If you are looking for some mindless entertainment, then it is an option worth considering, but if you are looking for something more, you will have to look elsewhere. The story has to do with two newly-weds, Carl and Molly, who allow the best man at the wedding, Dupree, to live with them for a while after he loses his job. Dupree is the typical irresponsible guy that gets in all kinds of ridiculous situations and soon overstays his welcome.

Some of the situations are funnier than others, and the viewer gets the typical Owen Wilson style of humor. However, the actor is not at the level of some of his other films, like Wedding Crashers, but it is not bad either. The rest of the cast does a decent job, from Kate Hudson, the lovely and caring wife, to Michael Douglas, the despicable father-in-law and Carl's boss.

Those people that do not enjoy Wilson's work should definitely stay away from this one. For the rest, if you decide to go ahead and watch it, do not expect all that much.
November 14, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...