The Break-Up - Preview

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Distributor: Universal Pictures

Release Date: 2006-06-02

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, Joey Lauren Adams, Ann-Margret, Judy Davis, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jon Favreau, Cole Hauser, John Michael Higgins, Justin Long

Directed by Peyton Reed

Produced by Vince Vaughn

Written by Jeremy Garelick & Jay Lavender

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Previewed by Josh Tyler : 2006-05-25 17:13:44

Pushed to the breaking-up point after their latest "why can't you do this one little thing for me?" argument, art dealer Brooke (Aniston) calls it quits with her boyfriend, Gary (Vaughn), who hosts bus tours of Chicago. What follows is a series of remedies, war tactics, overtures and underminings suggested by the former couple's friends, confidantes and the occasional total stranger. When neither ex is willing to move out of the condo they used to share, the only solution is to continue living as hostile roommates until somebody caves.

But somewhere between protesting the pool table in the living room, the dirty clothes stacked in the kitchen cupboards and the sports played at sleep-killing volume in the middle of night, Brooke begins to realize that what she may be really fighting for isn't so much the place but the person.

Jennifer Aniston stars in a movie about breaking up with Vince Vaughn, thus giving yet more life to the tiresome talk of her divorce from Brad Pitt. You’re sick of it? Just imagine how sick of it she is. You’d think she’d stay far away from anything having to do with relationships, but she’s America’s sweetheart and being in a movie with break-up in the title will probably do a lot to soften up and suck in her hardcore, house frau, Angelina Jolie hating fans.

But whatever the plan for marketing it, The Break-Up has put together a promising premise. A couple breaks up… comedy ensues. It’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith without the guns. Or for those of you aware of films made before 2003, think War of the Roses.

It’s directed by Peyton Reed, who had little something to do with a few episodes of the acclaimed comedy series “Mr. Show” and a lot something to do with the loathed movies Bring it On and Down With Love. That’s not a good sign. But with a cast this good, perhaps he can pull it off. Vince Vaughn has developed over the past few years into a legitimate screen presence. His shtick never varies, but it’s good shtick. We’re not sick of it yet. Aniston (at least in theory) knows something about comedy too. Though if you think about it, her best film work has been in drama like The Good Girl.

Will The Break-Up be overshadowed by more tabloid rag gossip about who’s bonking America’s favorite ex-friend? Almost certainly. Will it be any good? If it is, it’ll probably be thanks to Vince Vaughn.

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