You, Me and Dupree

The Houston Chronicle and Mix 96.5 hosted an advance screening of the new comedy “You, Me and Dupree” last night at the Edwards Marq*e. We begged and pleaded our way in (and got stuck in one of the dreaded front rows, resulting in a massive neck ache). Any movie that boasts an all star cast like “You, Me and Dupree” gives the audience high hopes. The reviews for the movie, however, brought them crashing down:

The movie goes from being another mildly depressing lump of unrealized comic potential to being an actively unpleasant experience. – The Village Voice Scott Foundas

A middling third-wheel comedy elevated a couple of notches by the ineffably weird charms of Owen Wilson. – Variety Justin Chang

Maybe, just maybe, the critics were a little harsh. The movie stars Kate Hudson as Molly Peterson and Matt Dillon as her husband, Carl Peterson. His slacker best-friend, Dupree (Owen Wilson), moves in and brings chaos and catastrophe with him. Also in the mix is Mr. Thompson, Molly’s father, played by Michael Douglas. As if Molly and Carl’s relationship isn’t strained enough by Dupree (who has an affinity for being naked, butter and candles), Mr. Thompson doesn’t like Carl, and even though it’s a subtle disdain, it only adds to the situation.

“You, Me and Dupree” isn’t a high comedy. And some might argue that it isn’t a comedy at all. But, it’s a “cute” movie. (Don’t movie makers love it when we call their work “cute”?) Molly is too good to be true. Real women don’t usually come in such a pretty package with such a positive demeanor. Dupree is an anomaly. He is jobless and homeless (and usually seemingly clueless) and reads Mensa bulletins. The real believable characters are Carl, who is an average Joe turned mess by his father in law, and Mr. Thompson, who will do anything for his daughter.

We won’t tell you to go in to the movie expecting to come out with a stomach ache from laughing so hard. But we will tell you that “You, Me and Dupree” is worth seeing. Even if you wait until it’s out on DVD.

"You, Me and Dupree" opens July 14