The Break-Up DVD Review

"The Break Up" reviews

DVD

The Break Up

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2006-11-09 16:00:22

Provider

DVD Review

Ironically this is the film Jennifer Aniston was making while splitting up with her then hubby Brad Pitt in real life.

It's the tale of a, seemingly, blissfully happy couple - Gary Grobowski (Vince Vaughn) and Brooke Meyers (Aniston) - whose relationship unexpectedly hits the skids following a dinner party intended to bring their two very different families together. However, neither person is willing to move out of their plush condo so the stubborn pair divide their home in two. What began as a simple argument quickly turns into World War III as the bitter pair engage in all manner of mental warfare designed to force the other out.

Despite a montage of 'special moments', and the pair's subsequent real-life relationship, unfortunately you never really believe in this couple's romance to begin with. As a comedy, the film is rescued by their respective friends and family who take sides offering all manner of odd advice. Gary's straight-talking bar pal Johnny (Jon Favreau) throws up some gems.

Aniston is strangely subdued. Maybe the real-life drama surrounding her personal life dampened her usual comedy talents but at least she plays those vulnerable moments well, particularly when the bickering reaches breaking point: "I don't know how we got here."

Likable as ever, Vince Vaughn's rapid-fire wit keeps the audience smiling even if you don't quite understand what he's saying all the time, but don't go expecting laugh-out-loud comedy all the way. The Break-up is a bit darker than the advertising campaign suggested.

While audio commentaries are sometimes a tad dreary, Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston's is one of the more entertaining, probably because they are a real life couple, while other special features come in the form of deleted scenes, extended scenes, outtakes and alternative ending.