Why you can trust 12DOVE
A bullied kid wishes his misfortunes on others in Miguel Arteta’s enjoyable adap of the ’70s children’s book, updated to ensure it’s jobless dad Steve Carell and working mum Jennifer Garner suffering the catastrophes that were his alone in the original.
Highlights include Carell’s pirate shirt catching fire, a reading by Dick Van Dyke turning sour and Garner screaming “I’ve seen every penis in this car!” Confused? Don’t worry: everything, title included, will be explained by the time this brisk charmer has run its course.
Neil Smith is a freelance film critic who has written for several publications, including Total Film. His bylines can be found at the BBC, Film 4 Independent, Uncut Magazine, SFX Magazine, Heat Magazine, Popcorn, and more.