Fun with Dick and Jane (2005)

While watching a movie that has been remade,it is all too easy to make comparisons to the original if you have seen it.It happens to me a lot.In the case of this film though,I had not(and,to date,still have not)seen the original,so it was much easier to watch without the scrutiny.I think this movie is a hoot! Jim Carrey is in top form here,and not only that,Tea Leoni matched him step for step and worked just as hard to make the film enjoyable as Carrey did.I do plan to watch the original film in the future,but this time,I will be doing the opposite:Comparing the original to the remake.That's rare for me.This time the original will have some expectations to live up to.

Fun with Dick and Jane is a remake of the 1977 comedy of the same title. It stars Jim Carrey and Téa Leoni as Dick and Jane Harper, an upper- middle-class couple who resort to robbery after the company for which Dick works goes bankrupt. Alec Baldwin, Richard Jenkins, Angie Harmon, John Michael Higgins, Richard Burgi, Carlos Jacott, Gloria Garayua and Stephnie Weir also star in supporting roles.It was written by Judd Apatow and directed by Dean Parisot.Dick Harper and his wife, Jane, would seem to have it made considering that Dick has a high-paying job, they live in an expensive house in the suburbs, they have two luxury cars in the driveway, and a housekeeper, Blanca to help look after their son, Billy. But Dick and Jane's fairy- tale life crashes head-on into reality when the firm Dick works for turns out to have been using unscrupulous accounting methods to disguise the fact they've been losing money hand over fist, and he has been made the fall guy for some of their dirty dealings. Suddenly flat broke, they must find a new way to support their lavish lifestyle, and in time they resort to criminal activities.Remakes are always a gamble, so it's a pleasant surprise that the movie pays off with unexpected dividends. It's as entertaining as the original starring George Segal and Jane Fonda, and the teaming of Jim Carrey and Téa Leoni makes this a safe bet for comedy fans.But the slapstick screenplay fails to achieve its fullest potential.It starts off silly, soon becomes funny and then skyrockets into irrepressible hilarity.But unfortunately,it does not sustain a consistent tone.

"When Dick Harper (Jim Carrey) is terminated as Globodyne Corporation's VP of Communications, he assures his wife, Jane (Téa Leoni), he'll find another job in no time. Months later, their lawn is repossessed, Jane has sold her body to science, and Dick's career as a day laborer ends with his deportation to Mexico. Madder than ever and not going to take it anymore, Dick and Jane turn to the fastest-growing sector in the white-collar job market - armed robbery - as they become upscale suburban Robin Hoods, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor… namely themselves," according to the Columbia Pictures synopsis.This re-make of the 1977 film starring George Segal and Jane Fonda is surprisingly toned down. The original wasn't a classic - but it was pleasant and somewhat daring, with "politically incorrect" humor and a subversive subtext. Here, the latter is no longer subversive; the former is tamed. If you've seen both films, compare the leading man's botched robbery scene. They've altered Mr. Segal's struggle with the gun in his pants to Mr. Carrey's struggle with his hood - resulting in no "condom scene". And, nothing equals Ms. Fonda's trendy "toilet scene". We should have had more "Fun with Dick and Jane" than this trifle.**** Fun with Dick and Jane (12/21/05) Dean Parisot ~ Jim Carrey, Tea Leoni, Richard Jenkins, Alec Baldwin

Yes, it's a remake. But let me hate that else time. The movie is nice; however it didn't utilize many chances to make more laughs. For big instance, the second act; where the thefts are, was a bit hasty and not interesting (The Egyptian copy of Dick and Jane, named "Esapa Hamadda wi Toto", is better in this matter). And for small instance, the leads' kid was nearly unused. The movie ends pretty short. 90 minutes seemed not enough or cut off. Maybe (Carry), the producer, wanted this into the point with no longer time.Moreover, while (Carry) is doing fine in his rationalized phase, where he's not dumb or dumber anymore, (Téa Leoni) was the wrong choice altogether. She got nothing to do with comedy, nothing to do with comedy (My anger just confirms!). Watch this movie to know exactly what I'm talking about, noticing the tragedy of having a comic star as (Carry) beside her all the time too. Albeit nothing is more tragic than her legs, Ugh !! They're ugly to creepy extent, so why to show them naked for half of the movie ?!!!! I WAS SICK, REAL SICK. When I read that (Cameron Diaz) was set to play Jane, but bowed out shortly before production I MOAN. (Diaz) is a real comedienne, lovely beauty, who also has long unforgettable pair of legs, Not mawkish ones that can make you vomit !On the other hand, using The Enron disaster was smart. It is way better than reusing ready-made event from the 1970s movie, and it shows good, rather bitter, touch with today's reality. I loved situations like mistaking the lead for illegal emigrant, trying to steal a stranger who turns out to be acquaintance,… etc. Or swift moments like the one in which they mock at George W. Bush (Alec Baldwin's character talks to the media with grief about his staff during a duck shoot as same as the previous president talked about the war and then invited the press to watch his golf swing!). And when it comes to the scene of (Carry) threatening (Baldwin) with toy gun and tears then it's the best one at all as writing and acting. Then, look at you at the end; we eventually forgive the 2 leads for what they did of steals, not due to their miserable crises or desperate need, but for getting revenge of a huge unfair tycoon who was living untouchable. That's one of the movie's secrets by the way; get the big ones; namely the corrupted businessmen who always get away with it, not the money (or more than it anyway).Among 2005 movies, and from my own lists; as a man & woman's buddy-movie it's better than (Mr. & Mrs. Smith). As a heist, kind of, movie it's better than (Domino). And as a remake it's another nail in the coffin of originality, yes, but at least considered more creative and amusing compared to the other, many, remakes lately. Generally it works, yet on the "not so great" level. For me the only great thing about it though is seeing a comedian like (Carry) doing fine without wacky stuff, and crossing from a phase to another successfully.