Movie Review: Fun with Dick and Jane

I noticed the other day that "Fun with Dick and Jane" will be released on DVD next week. I thought it fitting to write a review of the film, not because I love the underdog and it was panned by other critics, but it's the last time I found myself laughing until it hurts in the theater. Never mind I was 10 years older than everyone else in the theater and the only movie I can remember seeing in the theater since that was "Syriana". Let's forget all that.


"Fun with Dick and Jane" is a remake of the 1977 movie of the same name starring Jane Fonda and George Segal. This time around we have Tea Leoni (Jane) and Jim Carrey (Dick) starring. Dick works for Enron, well not Enron exactly, well yes it is pretty much Enron exactly. Dick is promoted to be in charge of communications and his first appearance on network TV coincides with the company's "Enron-ness" becoming apparent to the world and the stock collapses live with him on air. Let's just say it doesn't go well and like everyone else he loses his job. He arrives home to find that his wife has also quit her job on account of the big promotion. Finding a job is no easy matter, especially when your communication skills have recently been memorably demonstrated on national TV.

Gradually Dick and Jane find out how good they had it as they gradually see their possessions repossessed including their lawn. One of my favorite threads of the story is their relationship with their son and their Mexican housekeeper/nanny. I thought this was some truly inspired writing.

It's not a perfect movie by any means. The robbery scenes fall a little flat and the ending is a bit too nice and tidy and designed to be a bit too feel good, but that's okay if that's what you know you are getting yourself in for. It's a nice simple comedy with some really funny moments and I would highly recommend it for what it is. Definitely worth a pay-per-view or DVD rental.