The Dreaded Dinner

Comedies should not run longer than 90 minutes. Funny gets tiresome after a while and yawn-inducing after that. Your position in the seat requires constant adjustment, watches require constant checking -- it gets bad.

I just discovered 'Dinner for Schmucks' runs 1:54. The picture already seems to have a grating energy that would be tough to endure for an hour-and-a-half.

The dinner sequence is  probably the longest in the movie and features a group of characters whose eccentricities come across as forced and irritating rather than charming or endearing.

Bad dinner parties are particularly embarrassing. The thought of watching 'Dinner for Schmucks' holds about as much appeal as would actually sitting through a real dinner with a collection of zany eager idiots.

It just doesn't strike me as funny. Certainly not for two hours. This movie has seemed like a tough sell from the start. It's long runtime doesn't help.

May I be excused?