Wildly Overrated, Mildly Amusing Comedy

Rating: 5/10 (31 August 2005)

Are we really so deprived of decent entertainment that this movie is getting rave reviews which, quite frankly, it doesn't deserve.
At best, it's mildly amusing, but I was expecting so much more, based on the reviews I've read and user comments on this board.
Yes, it has an underlying sweetness, but it could have done with some judicious editing. What is funny the first or second time really isn't THAT funny the fourth and fifth time, such as the old Indian guy talking dirty. A good illustration is the end title sequence--it's funny to see the cast perform "Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In" from "Hair" for 30 seconds but did we really need to see the whole thing as a music video? One thing that really bothers me about Steve Carell, both in this movie and in "The Office," is that he is way too buff to be playing these kinds of characters. Guys like this don't have "bods." I'm really surprised that his agent hasn't told him that his physical condition is totally at odds with the personalities of the types of roles he's playing.
If I really want to laugh, I'll tune into "Curb Your Enthusiasm" reruns on HBO each weeknight.