Ich, Du und der Andere (2006)

Ich, Du und der Andere: Directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo. With Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson, Matt Dillon, Michael Douglas. A best man (Wilson) stays on as a houseguest with the newlyweds, much to the couple’s annoyance.

“In the Russo Brothersu0026#39; disappointing You, Me and Dupree, Owen Wilsonu0026#39;s Dupree expounds an existential philosophy of keeping oneu0026#39;s own character, a u0026quot;nessu0026quot; tacked on to a first name, such as his best friendu0026#39;s (Matt Dillon) u0026quot;Carlness.u0026quot; Itu0026#39;s a good idea dramatically to remind us all of our uniqueness and the necessity to nurture and protect it from, say, marauding fathers-in-law (in this case Michael Douglas), who might want to efface our individuality as well as get us vasectomies.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eYet the philosophical theme doesnu0026#39;t fit this comedy as it might Chekovu0026#39;s. Dupreeu0026#39;s warm-hearted house guest slacking tests the patience of Carl and new wife (Kate Hudson). I canu0026#39;t figure out what Carlu0026#39;s character is, much less know whatu0026#39;s worth preserving. Dupreesu0026#39;s immature, likable, sometimes witty persona is much easier to determine. Kate Hudsonu0026#39;s Molly is even easier, however, because all she has to do is put up with the boysu0026#39; adolescent behavior and show up now and then in a bikini or white panties with her yellow hair in a breeze to let us know she inherited all of her momu0026#39;s (Goldie Hawn) good traits including the promise of fine comedic timing should a script offer the chance. This script offers stinky scatology and humorless masturbation instead.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWilson is establishing himself as an accomplished light comedian with a regrettable tendency to play the same type of charming bumbler who always has a pithy remark to make himself the poetic soul of the piece. His recurring sides of wit and boyish mischief are keeping him in enough cash to keep him from his even more talented role as co-writer with director and buddy Wes Anderson. So, I ask myself, why doesnu0026#39;t he do only projects that suit his creative gifts—maybe because heu0026#39;s lost his sense of u0026quot;Owenness.u0026quot;”