The Break Up

[Remi]

Here's trailer #2.

Click Here (if you have problems viewing it, try using Explorer)

[Mrs.Sylfian]

i am looking foward to see that film...it looks like a fun romantic comedy

thanks Remi

s

[britgirl]

Thanks a lot for the link Remi. Looks really funny. "Show lemons?" Love it.

[arik]

I'll admit i've never been a big jennifer annison fan... she gets under my skin like paris hilton gets under other people's skin ...
Yet, this film has definite possiabilities to being a good one and as soon as it comes out I'll be in line and I don't think she'll ruin it for me.

So, heres to hoping...

[kevdo]

Podcast #75: The Break-Up Pre-Party
The Break-Up opens on Friday and we have audio from the Chicago premiere, some early reviews, commentary, contests, and ways for you to get involved with the podcast! Other news includes Will Ferrell's duet with Sting, praise for Steve Carell, and Owen Wilson's Cars premiere. We have a scary take on School of Rock, Ben Stiller's cameo in the "Tribute" video, and more.

www.the-frat-pack.com/podcast/FPT-2006-06-01.mp3
or www.fratpackpodcast.com

The assignments for the next show are:

1) Tell us what you think of The Break-Up - positive or negative.
2) Sing your best rendition of Owener of a Lonely Heart

Call us at 206-666-FRAT or use the voicemail link on www.fratpackpodcast.com

[Saria121]

While I was going to school, the radio was opened. And the girl who talked (in French) said that Jennifer Anniston broke up with Tom Cruise (I think) and during filming, she fell in love with Vince Vaughn.

Is that true?

[Remi]

I don't know the "when" and the "why", but I know the "who"... it wasn't Tom Cruise, it was Brad Pitt she was married to. hey, that rhymes

[kevdo]

My review:
The Break-Up is a touching, brutal, and occasionally funny, character drama focusing on the break up of Gary (Vince Vaughn) and Brooke (Jennifer Aniston). Despite the stars' comedic pedigree, The Break-Up is not a "romantic comedy" but rather a drama about romantic situations that contains some funny dialogue and scenes. Judged by the intents of the filmmakers, not the film's marketing campaign, The Break-Up is a rousing success.

Conceived as an "anti-Romantic Comedy" by star, producer, and screenwriter Vaughn, the movie has many strengths. First is a challenging and unusual plot, where the couple breaks up during act one. Ostensibly to show Vaughn's character Gary how much he takes her for granted, Aniston's character Brooke breaks up with her boyfriend of two years but neither leaves the condo they share. Thus begins a series of vignettes where each person tries to get back at the other in a twisted strategy to show their love. Per the aims of the filmmakers, neither character acts smarter or more clever than they should, unlike typical RomCom fare. This unusual take on a typical kind of story works for the most part, despite perhaps one or two vignette's too many. And several of these scenes are incredibly dark and powerful, none more so than a scene where Gary surprises Brook by inviting strippers over for a game of strip poker. But these scenes ultimately lead us a rousing and unexpected conclusion filled with real emotion, powerfully dramatic performances, and just the right amount of "hope."

Vaughn and Aniston remind us they've both done excellent drama work in the past. While both characters share similarities to their more famous Wedding Crashers and Friends counterparts, both actors do a deft job being both sympathetic and cruel during various parts of the movie. The inherent liability of both actors helps the audience root for the couple to mend their differences and get back together despite the apparent class differences between them. As the "talent" part of a tour-bus operation, Vaughn brings many of the quick quips audiences are accustomed to. In this movie, he reminds audiences of his older dramatic roles by delivering several intense monologues. Aniston portrays a character who appears more sophisticated than she really is, and produces a vulnerable performance by the film's conclusion.

The other strength of the movie are the legion of supporting characters who support the story arcs of the main character and defuse the drama with funny or quirky scenes. Jon Favreau plays Gary's worldly bartender and best friend Johnny O. Vaughn and Favreau have a long track-record of chemistry and in this movie it's Favreau who delivers the best lines. There's a scene involving discussion of a hit man where Favreau is particularly effective. He's the best supporting performance in a movie filled with them.

In perhaps the most inspired bit of casting, Vincent D'Onofrio and Cole Hauser play Vaughn's older and younger brothers who make up the 3-Brothers Bus Tours company. Putting Vaughn in the middle really makes these guys look like actual siblings, and Vaughn's character is emotionally in the center of his responsible older brother and womanizing younger one. They're both excellent, especially D'Onofrio who shares several effective scenes with Vaughn.

Other entertaining characters are Aniston's art-dealer boss, played with chew-the-scenery gusto by Judy Davis, and her receptionist played by Justin Long. Vaughn pal Jason Bateman has several good lines as Gary and Brooke's real estate agent. Joey Lauren Adams plays Brooke's best friend Maddie and Peter Billingsley is her suffering husband Andrew. Ann-Margret and Vince's dad Vernon Vaughn play Brooke's parents and John Michael Higgins lightens the mood as her flamboyant brother. Wedding Crashers fans will recognize Kier O'Donnell and Geoff Stults as two of Brooke's dates. You've seen most of these characters in the trailer and the movie expands a little on them.

The Break-Up will appeal to Frat Pack fans who'll enjoy the one-liners but this is no farce typical of the genre. It's a serious look at relationships and what happens when they go wrong. Audiences expecting "Wedding Crashers 2" would be best served to go see You, Me, and Dupree or Talladega Nights this summer. But audiences who are starved for original, unconventional filmmaking could do a lot worse than The Break-Up, the summer's most original comedy, er… drama. We loved this film.
(4/5 beer mugs)

[Natalie]

Thanks for the review kevdo! I still haven't gotten a chance to see it, but I'd really like to see it very soon.

[texasgal]

Kevdo, a thorough, very analytical review. Thank you very much for writing your reaction.

I already wanted to see this movie. Now I want to see it even more.

[Remi]

WOW Kev! I don't know what you do for a living, but that was a great movie review!

I did think it was a romcom like it was marketed. Now, I'm more interested in it... later on. (I love Vince, but I'm soooo tired of seeing Jen, and Brad, and Angelina. I may have to wait a couple years to "get over" it all and finally see the movie.)

[kevdo]

remi said:

WOW Kev! I don't know what you do for a living, but that was a great movie review!

I did think it was a romcom like it was marketed. Now, I'm more interested in it... later on. (I love Vince, but I'm soooo tired of seeing Jen, and Brad, and Angelina. I may have to wait a couple years to "get over" it all and finally see the movie.)

Thanks, it's actually the first real movie review I tried to put together. It's a lot harder and takes a lot longer than it looks (and mine was short by movie review standards).

[Remi]

I saw this movie recently and I just wanted to say that Kevdo's review is pin-point acurate. I'd give it the same 4/5 beer mugs, but it's damn near a 5. I'm VERY impressed with Vince. I knew he was a great dramatic actor, but he's an excellent writer as well.

This movie is worthy of an Oscar nod if you ask me.

[Natalie]

I really enjoyed the movie, but I didn't like the ending at all. I laughed so hard throughout most of the movie though.

[kevdo]

remi said:

I saw this movie recently and I just wanted to say that Kevdo's review is pin-point acurate. I'd give it the same 4/5 beer mugs, but it's damn near a 5. I'm VERY impressed with Vince. I knew he was a great dramatic actor, but he's an excellent writer as well.

This movie is worthy of an Oscar nod if you ask me.

There's not a chance in hell for an Oscar nom, though I appreciate the kind words on my review (which I still stand by). I think it would be great if Vince was nominated, though...