THE BREAK UP

GUEST POST by Ann








I was quite excited about going to see it even though I knew my ab fab fav actor was featured for barely five minutes. I am rather fond of Vaughn and Aniston as I have watched them mature over the years and enjoyed some of their previous work.The film is bittersweet; more bitter than sweet, with two characters I did not care for. Brook was manipulative and whiney and Gary a man-child. Their siblings however stole the movie and far outshone the stars.The dinner party scene with their families, I believe was the highlight of the whole film and that was early on. The family were far more entertaining than Gary and Brooke, although there was barely a peep out of Gary's mother (at least I assume the little dark haired lady was his mother) nor a word from Dennis' wife. Their brothers were all totally different and extreme in their personalities and behavior, which made Gary and Brooke seem boring and devoid of color.Brook's 'in the closet' brother Richard was hilariously played by John Michael Higgins and his role was pure comedy. Gary and his brothers worked together in the family tour guide business. His brother Lupus (Cole Hauser) was an outrageous lecherous hedonist. His older brother Dennis (our Vincent) was controlling and awkward with two aims... a successful business on land, water and air and to be with his family.
As the film progressed, I empathized with Brook's feelings of being taken for granted, it all seemed so familiar, but I lost patience with Gary and his puerile antics. His best friend Johnny O, played by Jon Favreau, pulled no punches in telling Gary his faults and by the time the penny dropped it was too late.
Back to Vincent for a moment, he should have played Johnny O a role I believe Vincent would have made his own that would have added much needed depth and humor to the film.At the end of the day nothing changes... Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus and that about sums it up. If you haven't seen the film in the cinema and are waiting to buy the DVD for our Vincent, I suggest you don't waste your money. I am disturbed that Vincent was involved in this bland project and I do hope we get to see him in more weighty roles in the future.

12 comments:

mary said...

I agree, I was also disappointed in this. It was as if this friendly group of actors just decided to do something for fun together and took the first script they were given. They are all better than this film. I did like the scene in the office between the brothers.

JoJo said...

Well said Ann. I have not seen this movie and based upon fan and movie reviews, I don't plan to. I am hoping that someone like Eliza will put Vincent's brief scenes on a condensed video so we can see it w/o having to endure the entire movie.

It's a shame that Aniston and Vaughn can't get roles that are worthy of their talent.

val said...

VIncent really was the best thing in it, and actually, if he's been Gary it would have been better. Though even he would have had trouble making something of the part.

Eliza said...

I rented it on a free trial from Amazon...only way i was going to see it after reading the reviews :-)

It stank...although Vincent obviously lifteds the scenes he was in...I wasn't planning on watching it again...but maybe for JoJo I'll do it!

ann said...

looks like we're gonna see him in more movies... woooooo hooooooo

cathy said...

Nobody who has seen WAR OF THE ROSES could find this entertaining. My favourite scene in the whole film was when Vincent cleaned his ears. He just summeed up the characters whole personality without speaking a word.
I bet it wasn't scripted either.

Liz said...

Love Vincent and love to see Vince so I had to watch. It was a so-so movie, as everyone says ‘Vincent was the best thing in it.’

Hey Cathy nice to see you dropped by at my blog I hope you liked what you seen.

l'oreal said...

i agree that some of this movie in and of itself was a tad boring, although i do love vaughn and aniston as actors. the dinner scene was by far the best scene, and you're right, it happened too early on.

no i don't mind you linking my blog to your site! thank you, it's actually quite an honor :) you have a nice blog yourself. if you don't mind either, i'll link yours too :)

Itsnopicknick said...

Yeah, i wasn't really much of a fan of this one, i have to say!

l'oreal said...

yall need to get another review goin! you havent posted in ages!

havers said...

I have seen this movie only for 1,99€ in my loved cinema "sojust". There run films, who are a little bit older (only 3 month since the film start)

I want to see Vincent but in order the bad criticism and that he is onyl for a few scenes on the screen, I do it that way.

So I see him in his second movie after the beginning of CI (I became a fan of him) in a real cinema, but bad movie.

Laura Cousins said...

This is a fantastic blog - thank you for doing it. I was in 2 minds as to whether or not to get a copy of this film and now this has helped me make upi my mind. Thanks again!