Jim Carrey could do better: Fun with Dick and Jane

Fun with Dick and Jane offers a satirical spin on corporate America’s darker side, but with a comedic edge led by Jim Carrey and Téa Leoni. Directed by Dan Perisot, this remake of the 1977 classic updates the story to tackle modern financial woes through the lens of Carrey’s signature comedic style. Carrey and Leoni are well-matched as Dick and Jane, a couple whose lives spiral out of control after Dick’s corporate job is sabotaged by a corrupt CEO, played with sharp nastiness by Alec Baldwin. As the couple’s savings vanish and their house teeters on foreclosure, their attempts to survive transform into hilariously botched heists, making for some entertainingly absurd antics.

The film’s humor is peppered with gags and one-liners that hit as often as they miss, with some slapstick moments that lean into silliness. Carrey, at his zany best, fully commits to Dick’s manic descent into crime, while Leoni brings a dry wit that balances out Carrey’s goofier moments. Notably, her performance manages to add a relatable charm, making her a great partner in the comedic escapades. Highlights include their attempt at bank robbery, which escalates into delightful chaos, and a strangely endearing Sonny and Cher bit that showcases their chemistry.

However, Fun with Dick and Jane often feels like it’s trying to juggle too many tones. Its satire on corporate greed, inspired by real-life scandals like Enron, initially feels biting, but as the movie progresses, it loses momentum, favoring slapstick over a more focused critique. Judd Apatow’s screenplay, co-written with Nicholas Stoller, flirts with a more insightful comedy but falls back on quick gags and montage-style sequences, leaving the narrative disjointed and the characters underdeveloped. The supporting cast, including Richard Jenkins as a drunken exec and Baldwin as the sleazy CEO, is sadly underutilized, often reduced to caricatures without much depth or humor.

Despite its flaws, Fun with Dick and Jane is worth a watch if you’re a fan of Jim Carrey’s antics and in the mood for a light comedy. It isn’t a return to Carrey’s golden age of physical comedy, but his and Leoni’s performances salvage the film enough to keep it entertaining. The film’s social commentary may lack punch, but as a satire on modern misfortunes, it manages to deliver laughs, even if they are somewhat short-lived. Just don’t go in expecting a comedy classic, and you’ll find it an enjoyable, if uneven, ride through corporate catastrophe and desperate humor.