Review of The Break-Up (2006) by Tom B — 09 Sep 2010

I think we must be Peyton Reed fans (Yes Man, Down With Love). He does bring a classic style to American comedies. It's not in the vein of Knocked-up and 40-Year-Old Virgin, or any number of other gross-out-but-sweet comedies.

There's a serious undertone to his pictures, but more, an attention to classic story-style. And I like the fact this one is populated with recognizable faces in the supporting cast. Vincent D'Onofrio is worth the time it took to watch, but everybody was solid.

And some of the humor was genuinely funny, even though we've seen some of it before. Like him or hate him, Vince Vaughn is able to portray a difficult kind of man. He's very sharp and funny, and often unlikeable, but he's also got that helpless thing going in whatever he does.

Solid story, intelligent, about a rather difficult topic. How difficult? This is the kind of script that's usually all about who's fault it is, often written for vengeance or a purge. By bringing comedy to the proceedings, and a careful attention to a balanced perspective, we found a fairly insightful depiction of modern dilemmas that everyone can relate to, whether they want to relate to them or not.

If there's any problem with this it's the lack of fantasy and escape. Maybe that's the line Reed is walking, wanting to please the audiences by making them forget, but showing us something real to leave with and reflect upon.