Crashing The Newlyweds Can Be Funny Too

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Movie Title: You, Me and Dupree.

Starring: Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson, Matt Dillon, Michael Douglas, Seth Rogan.

Attended With: My awesome fiance Andrea (our fourth date movie of the summer).

Concession Stand: Finally, they had fresh pretzel bites and nacho cheese! It's about time AMC!

Movie Synopsis in One Sentence: Long-time friend Dupree's attempt to get his life on track classes with the uptight lifestyle of newlyweds Molly and Carl Peterson.

The Good: First of all, the movie is definitely funny, laugh-out-loud funny. Second, with Owen Wilson in the spotlight away from his usual comedy gang (Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, his brothers, etc.) he could have crumbled, but he didn't. Carrying the weight of the movie on his shoulders, Wilson proved that he is a force of comedy all on his own (of course, with the help of a semi-funny Kate Hudson and a funny-because-he's-angry Matt Dillon). Also, I wasn't expecting to see Michael Douglas in the role of the "bottom-line" boss and father-in-law (think Robert De Niro in Meet the Parents, but not Italian, and with money, rather than fear, as his weapon-of-choice), but his presence was enough to make the movie a little more fun. And I can't forget to mention Seth Rogen, who proved in The 40 Year Old Virgin that he can be just as funny, if not funnier, than the leads of the movies he's in.

The Bad: The movie potentially feels like a dumping ground for recycled comedy movie sub-genres (romantic comedy with newlywed couple, all-grown-up buddy comedy, tense father-in-law/son-in-law comedy), all trying to coexist in one movie. Sure, the jokes are new (and funny!), but you get the odd feeling like you've seen this movie before. Also, Matt Dillon felt a little out of place in the movie, and I blame that on poor casting for his part.

Coincidence or Not: Lance Armstrong makes a great cameo as himself in the movie. Can you name another movie Armstrong has appeared in as himself? Take your time...did you get it? He actually appeared in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, which starred none other than Owen Wilson's comedy cohort Vince Vaughn. Coincidence? I think not.

The Verdict: Reminding me of all the ways The Break-Up failed as a comedy, this movie is the official "summer comedy" that'll make you laugh.

If You Liked______, You May Like These: Wedding Crashers, The Cable Guy, Meet the Parents/Meet the Fockers.

FINAL GRADE: B+