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22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"I want you to help me for a change", October 18, 2006
In order to appreciate The Break-Up you really have to suspend disbelief at the reasons why a couple like Gary (Vince Vaughn) and Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) would actually come together in the first place. The film is well acted and fast paced and also entertaining, and it does a generally good job of showing what happens when love turns into a weapon of mutual destruction.
It's just I didn't quite buy the fact that a somewhat educated and cultured girl like Brooke who works as a art-gallery curator and likes going to the ballet would actually see in a working class schlep like Gary, a voluble if considerably doughy charmer who, with his two brothers (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Cole Hauser), runs a guided tourist service in Chicago.
If you can get beyond this strange lapse of logic, The Break-Up is a mostly fun and astute and features the lovely Jennifer and the clever Vince at their snappish best. The story itself is pretty slim: Brook and Gary meet at a Cubs game, fall in love hard, buy a showpiece apartment together and live happily ever after. All this happens in the opening credits.
It doesn't take long, however, for the cracks to appear in the relationship and the fights inevitably start coming. He doesn't buy the right number of lemons for a dinner party she's hosting for their respective families, and then doesn't do the dishes until she nags him to help. She doesn't understand his needs, which is basically relaxing after a hard day on his feet and watching the ball game. So consequently, after a bitter argument, Brooke impulsively puts an end to their relationship.
The big problem is that they both own the apartment together, and over the next couple of weeks things get worse. Lines are drawn over who can do what and trivial disagreements break out over common space, noise, and eventually escalating into Brooke inviting over dates, Gary inviting over strippers, moving in a pool table, and everything else as the relationship spirals out of control.
The couple's realtor (Jason Bateman) and shared friends, including Maddie (Joey Lauren Adams) and Johnny (Jon Favreau), all get caught up and are forced to take sides. But will Brooke and Gary be able to sort out their differences and stay together, or is the relationship doomed to failure?
I think the strength of the film comes from the biting repartee that takes place between Aniston and Vaughn, especially in the earlier scenes. You really do believe that they are - and have been - a committed couple that are about to explode with frustration at each other's failings. The actors indeed imbue Gary and Brooke with moments of sincere woundedness and the film's arguments - that relationships are essentially about mutual respect and about give and take - come across as remarkably authentic.
As usual in these sorts of Hollywood romantic comedies - and using the term romantic loosely - the supporting cast is filled out with a number of veterans. Judy Davis steals every scene she's in as Brooke's eccentric art gallery boss and Ann Margaret makes a surprise appearance as Brooke's mother.
But the movie ultimately belongs to both Aniston and Vaughn - she's tanned and toned and looks fantastic and he does what he does best - playing the permissive man-child who just refuses to take responsibility for anything, either personal or professional.
The film stalls a bit in its final third; as though the producers are intent to pad the story out and Brooke's motivations for doing what she does remain bit of an enigma - first she loves him then she doesn't and we're left to infer some of her feelings rather than bear witness to them. In the end, though, The Break-Up is at least partially notable for showing both lead actors at their best, but the film also shows off some terrific views of the beautiful city of Chicago. Mike Leonard October 06.
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17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most of Us Will Be There, December 2, 2006
Realistic to the end. I've been involved with counseling many couples who break up and this movie hits the proverbial nail right on the head. Many break ups are "accidental". Many times persons who break up wish they could be back together. Many times the greatest danger comes when the problems are out in the open and persons attempt to save the relationship.
All of the cast does a good job. The characters are believable and make the viewer root for them, even the supporting cast. The viewer becomes emotionally glued to this film with a desire for these two to make it, but they always seem to just miss, even though both want it to work. This could be a healing film, but it is not a "feel good" film. This may be why so many viewers, expecting a light hearted comedy, gave it less than stellar reviews.
Most people who have experienced the breakup of a close relationship will see themselves in this film. About half of all marriages end in divorce and most couples who live together will eventually split. The brightest spot in the film is the ending. It reminds us that however relationships turn out, there is hope for a future on the other side.
I won't say how this film turns out, but if you do not like the ending there is an alternate ending in the bonus features. I liked the ending that showed in the theatres, but the other ending is worth a glance, if only for a few laughs.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent -- Realistic, Attractive and Brilliant Supporting Cast, November 26, 2006
I had recently begun to have my doubts about the Hollywood romantic comedy (failure to launch...family stone...yawn), but I must say I really liked "The Break Up". What makes it stand out I think is its realism (warning to couples in the middle of actual arguments -- this movie may stir things up). Anyway, it's not as fairly tale artificial as some movies and the main characters were charming in their very different ways. But I wouldn't say charming actually...that makes it sound like "Amelie" or something. They were relatable and real...and funny. I would say that if you liked "Fever Pitch," you might like this film too. It even has a little baseball in it (but just a little).
The cinematography is worth mentioning. Chicago looks great as does Jennifer Aniston. Vince vaughn was a bit chubby, but I think that was for the role. In the end of the movie he is thin again for character reasons.
Final very important point: often what can turn an okay movie into a memorable exposition of cinema art (or at least a good night in front of the tube in this case I suppose) are the supporting cast members. John Michael Higgins, whom I had never heard of before, was hilarious as Jennifer Aniston's brother (when he tried to get Vince Vaughn to sing at dinner? That was gold). Anyway, Jon Favreau as Vince Vaughn's best friend was, as always, 'money'. And Judy Davis, of course, was tremendous as Aniston's boss at the art gallery. Every day she is not acting is a loss to the art. So I/we liked it.
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