You Me & Dupree

YOU, ME AND DUPREE is a formula film, a template designed for teenage guys who feel the need for potty mouth, noisy, crude guy things movies. There have been a lot of these films of late (all spinoffs of The Wedding Crasher image) and one wonders if there is a saturation point.

Relating the story is rather pointless as it is a one-line joke (?). Dupree (Owen Wilson playing Owen Wilson) is the best man at his buddy Matt Dillon's wedding to Kate Hudson (the You and Me) and subsequently moves in with them, causing all manner of mayhem and bad taste and faux pas and grim situations (think toilet problems etc). And that is it. Michael Douglas was brought in to play a flat role as Kate Hudson's father who objects to her marriage blah blah blah. Ask directors Anthony and Joe Russo for the rest.

We know that Hudson, Dillon and Douglas have much better roles to offer (Wilson seems to have found his niche), and the only reason films like this keep getting made is because they make money (for some reason) at the box office. The film is silly, tacky, tired and should only be rented if the shelves in the video store are otherwise empty... Grady Harp, November 06

familiar story (cf Down and Out in Beverly Hills), some shouting and falling over, masturbation jokes you know the drill. Tiresome after a while, but the wife sorta liked it after a hard day with the kids....

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Owen Wilson you were good in Behind Enemy Lines, so less of this boring shaggy guy thing would be nice....

Buy You Me & Dupree Now

What can you say about a movie like "You, Me, And Dupree?" Your first response might be, "Man, haven't I seen this movie before?" That's how familiar this buddy comedy will seem, it covers no new territory. It's not a terrible film and it has some enjoyable elements, it just lacks a creativity and spontaneity that might have branded it as compelling entertainment. As is, it's a slight and reasonably pleasant way to waste a couple of hours. You might not remember anything about it in a week, but you might get limited enjoyment in the now.

The story revolves around two college buddies. Matt Dillon, the responsible friend, has recently married Kate Hudson, gone to work for her dad (Michael Douglas), and is trying to make a place in the "grown-up" world. Owen Wilson plays the resident "Man-child," a buffoon who shirks responsibility and lives in a carefree (and hopeless) state. Conveniently, Wilson loses his place to live and so must move in with the newlyweds. Juxtaposing Wilson's antics with Hudson's stability is the comedic center of the film, and the two battle for the attentions of Dillon. Nothing new, huh? Wilson is an engaging performer, and talented, but we have seen him (and dozens of others) play this exact character time and time again. When did it become OK to continually represent 30-somethings as drifting losers? (I don't know anyone like this. Right out of college, sure--but 15 years later, not so much). But he is likable, and Hudson and Dillon are likable too. It's all so likable, if not riotously funny.

I actually found most of "Dupree" to be a pleasant, if extremely familiar, diversion. Having no ambitions whatsoever, the picture plays out as a genial poke at friendship and responsibility. The performers carry the mundane story, and it unfolds as a comfortable and watchable TV sitcom plot might. However, inexplicably, this mildly amusing endeavor goes way, way over-the top for its finale. Shifting in tone, and for reasons unnecessary to delineate, the last act of "Dupree" involves Douglas as a corporate villain (a lightweight Gordon Gecko, if you will) and our pair of heroes breaking into his offices. Turning things into an action comedy seems at odds with the rest of the picture, and the shift in tone does not serve the film well. Nothing about this conclusion is necessary or amusing.

Ultimately, "Dupree" is what "Dupree" is--a paint by numbers comedy. Instantly recognizable, there are aspects of so many other films working here--and instantly forgettable. I don't regret watching "Dupree" and I don't hate it. It's just so unassuming, it hard to generate much passion either way. KGHarris, 01/07.

Read Best Reviews of You Me & Dupree Here

It seems like this film is too much like other "over the top" comedies trying to hard to make you laugh. To make matters worse, all of the best scenes in this movie are seen in the previews/trailers, which annoyed me! Previews/trailers are meant to give you a quick taste of the movie & create desire for you to see the movie, NOT show all the best scenes in the movie!!

Owen Wilson is the best part of this movie! He is a very witty actor and does a great job in this role. Unfortunately, Owen Wilson is getting too type cast/stereotyped by playing the same type of goofy, comedic characters he always does. I wish he'd branch out and try some new roles! His role in this film is the same type of character seen in "Zoolander", "Meet the Parents", "Wedding Crashers", "Shanghai Noon" and "Shanghai Knights", all of which were better films in my opinion!!

Alrighty then.... Matt Dillon plays a man with no backbone, who ends up marrying the daughter of a wealthy land developer, who just happens to be his boss! His new father-in-law, played by Michael Douglas, can't stand his new son-in-law and does everything he can to emasculate his new son-in-law and destroy the their new marriage.

Too top things off, Owen Wilson plays Matt Dillon's best friend in the movie. Wilson's character is a single, unemployed, well-meaning loser who ends up moving in with the newlyweds and completely disrupting their home and lifestyle.

Kate Hudson, plays Matt Dillon's wife in the movie who has a love/hate relationship with Wilson's character. She hates him in the beginning and loves him in the end, which seems so unbelievable!

The storyline is lacking anything resembling real life! All of the characters (with the exception of Owen Wilson's character) are so one dimensional it is pathetic!

Want You Me & Dupree Discount?

With such a talented and likeable cast, I was hoping for more from this movie. Aside from the 3 stars, you also have Michael Douglas making a signifigant contribution to the film. He plays Hudson's father well, but the part is not written well. Hudson and Dillon mostly play things straight, which would be great if Wilson was being completely zainy. But Wilson is not really over the top as a boy trapped in a man's body, so the film sort of sputters along without any really big laughs. It tries to be sweet and amusing, but it fails more times than not. I would rent this one before considering a buy.

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