Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf? Well, not Vince Vaughn. The fast-talking, wise- cracking star of “The Break-Up” cooked up this tale of a couple
in the throes of collapse with newbies Jeremy Garelick and Jay Lavender, who wrote the off-kilter screenplay.
If 7 Up is the un-cola, consider “The Break-Up,” also starring Jennifer Aniston, the un-romantic comedy. It’s not that this film is as dark as Mike Nichols’ 1966 “Woolf,” but boy, is it as loud.
At a Cubs-White Sox game at Wrigley Field, Gary Grobowski (Vaughn) zeroes in on Brooke Meyers (Aniston), who’s sitting in the same row.
Buddy Johnny O (Jon Favreau) wears his black Sox jersey in a sea of Cubbie fans, just spoiling for a fight. And the guys’ testy banter signals it’s safe for guys to slide into this movie. Of course, with the slew of fella-tweaked romantic comedies – “Wedding Crashers,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Failure to Launch” – out there, they shouldn’t have had to work so hard.
How cute you find Gary and Brooke’s meeting depends on whether you think his dogged style is charming or stalkerlike. Often, the very thing that makes Vaughn so watchable or listenable – his sharp edge blunted by banter – makes him a complicated romantic lead.
As the opening credits roll, it’s clear Gary won. They both did. Because what follows is a montage of snapshots featuring the two up until the time they bought a condo together.
Geez, they look sweet together, almost like a real couple. But “The Break-Up” is bent on proving reality can bite.
Two years into the relationship, the unmarrieds unravel after a spat about dishes. Anyone who’s been here – and haven’t we all? – knows that’s a load of crockery. Yet, once it becomes about plates or the number of lemons needed for a centerpiece or … or … or … any truths will get lost in translation. Mars no hear Venus and vice versa.
George and Martha had years of marriage and 86-proof fuel to ignite the bonfire of their relationship in “Woolf.” That “War of the Roses” duo had put plenty of miles on their marriage before that engine blew and they began their battle.
It is tougher to grasp Gary and Brooke’s reasons for self-immolation. Sure, he’s got a real gift for self-justification. The middle son in a brother-run touring company, he self-medicates with video games.
Her days are as long as his. Marilyn Dean (Judy Davis), the imperious gallery owner she works for, trumps his older, tongue-tied brother Dennis (Vincent D’Onofrio) any day of the week. Brooke’s frustration seems reasonable until she decides on humiliation as a make-up strategy.
A contest of wills ensues. Will he apologize? Will she get over it? With the help of a real estate agent-friend played by Jason Bateman (who knows arrested development when he sees it), those questions
morph into one: Who will move out of the condo?
Of course, the movie’s hook is, will Gary and Brooke mend or forever rend their relationship? We take for granted they love each other. Though, come to think of it, the only evidence is in those snapshots.
Each has his and her sounding boards. Cole Hauser plays younger bro Lupus, whose name aptly invokes wolves and illness simultaneously.
Brooke has better luck with married best friend Addie (Joey Lauren Adams). If only she’d listen.
Singed as it is, “The Break- Up” wasn’t intended to be a black comedy. Peyton Reed showed his talent for the buoyant with “Down With Love.” But the director can’t strike a balance. Gently bobbing the camera when Brooke and Gary verbally spar doesn’t help.
Along the way to emotionally extra crispy, “The Break-Up” hits some funny notes. Some are silly, like Brooke’s brother Richard and his male chorus, the Tone Rangers. One of the best comes late and gives Vaughn and Favreau a who’s-on-first routine that could turn into an instant classic.
The best news isn’t exactly kind: That other, truly hard breakup seems to have given Aniston a new heft. This is the first movie where her indie gifts mesh with studio-picture demands.
Still, who knew the most anticipated romantic comedy of the summer would turn out to feel like a quasi-documentary?
“The Break-Up” doesn’t come with a warning (and the PG-13 is overly generous).
Perhaps it it should: The makers of this film are not liable for any misunderstandings, parking-lot arguments or ruined dates.
Film critic Lisa Kennedy can be reached at 303-820-1567 or lkennedy@denverpost.com.
“The Break-Up” | ** 1/2 RATING
PG-13 for sexual content, some nudity and language|1 hour, 45 minutes|ROMANTIC COMEDY|
Directed by Peyton Reed; written by Jeremy Garelick & Jay Lavender; photography by Eric Edwards; starring Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, Joey Lauren Adams, Ann-Margret, Jason Bateman, Judy Davis, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jon Favreau |Opens today at area theaters
