Version uses cultural references and stereotypical jokes to take the story forward. What happens when Tim takes Barry to the dreaded dinner makes up for the second half and an insane conclusion.
Steve Carell saves the film from becoming just another comedy with black jokes and toilet humour. He uses his charm and natural comic timing to make Barry interesting. His
Character has enough quirks and crazy habits that give room to Carell to play around and have fun. Scenes with Rudd and his colleagues are well written. There's a decent camaraderie between the two leads - both good in their roles.
The dinner is supposed to be the highlight of the film, but Roach spends too much time in the lead up to the event and in trying to create the right ambience. In the process, he dampens the pace of an otherwise energetic start. Despite his idiosyncracies, Barry comes off as being strong and violent instead of funny. We wonder why Tim would actually put his job and love life at stake just to show off his new friend at a dinner with friends. Jemaine Clement's Character of the self-obsessed painter falls flat. Zach Galifianakis is wasted in a thankless role that does no justice to his talent.
Strictly for Carell fans. The film could have been entertaining with a better
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