Movie Review: The Break-Up

What a curious film. In the weeks leading up to release, I kept reading mentions of how bad it was and how it was being trashed by the critics. However, I never once read one of those supposed bad reviews, granted I hadn't really sought any of them out. I saw the commercials and just hoped that it would live up to the impression I got from the trailers. The pairing of Vaughn and Aniston looked to be a good one, combined with a high concept that is not often found within the generally straight and narrow confines of the romantic comedy.

I went to the theater, got my ticket and entered the auditorium, looking for an available seat among the sold-out crowd. I found a decent one, way down front and center in the third row. I settled down with my soda and popcorn and hoped that I hadn't made a mistake by coming to see this.

The movie opens with a very funny pre-title sequence with the Roger Ebert-coined meet cute. Vince Vaughn's Gary is taking in a Cubs/White Sox game at Wrigley Field with his buddy, Johnny O (Jon Favreau), when he spots Jennifer Aniston's Brooke, in the same row as he is. He proceeds to do his very best to get her to go on a date with him and leave the guy she's with behind. We never see the result of his pick-up attempts, but it can be assumed to have worked as we go to the title sequence which plays over photographs of them and their friends as happy as can be. As the film proper starts, I am briefly reminded of Closer, which used some big time jumps to take us between the beginnings and endings of relationships, as we jump ahead in time. Gary and Brooke are living together, and the relationship has some strain on it, and it is nearing the breaking point.

I liked what they set out to do in this movie, of course the end result seems to be some sort of compromise between an original vision and a need for box office success. It is nice to see something a little different in this genre. We get to skip all of that happy courting period where all is wine and roses and misunderstanding. All of that stuff is left behind and we get to jump ahead in time, the relationship has aged, our featured couple is living together, there are clearly some problems. The audience is witness to the implosion of Gary and Brooke and the subsequent mess that develops.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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