The Break Up Review

The Break Up sees Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn play art dealer Brook Meyers and tour guide Gary Grobowski , a couple from Chicago whose relationship takes a turn for the worst. After an argument caused by 12 twelve lemons and ended by an angry outburst by Gary, Brooke breaks it off with him and a fierce battle of the sexes ensues. This film is an interesting spin on the traditional Rom-com, with the couple breaking up rather than trying to get together but still successfully incorporates and balances both elements of the genre.

Most of the laughs come from Vaughn’s usual talking-out-of-his-arse style, which is a pity considering the comic talent of the rest of the cast, including Jason Bateman, Justin Long and Jon Favreau. John Michael Higgins, who plays Brookes eccentric brother Richard, also provides plenty of laughs with his singing group “The Tone Rangers”. I must admit it was a pity that Aniston’s comic talents weren’t better used, especially considering her 10 year comic role as Rachel in the sitcom Friends.

I watched the film with the commentary, because I’m cool like that, and discovered that director Peyton Reed had Aniston and Vaughn ad-lib many of the scenes. This gives a natural feel to the conversations between Brooke and Gary and makes the ups feel or the more heart-warming and the downs all the more heart-wrenching. This also keeps the film from being another typical rom-com, although at moments it slows the pace of the film and makes it a little too realistic.

Aniston delivers a truly touching performance as Brooke, the art dealer determined to show her ex what he’s missing and make him crawl back on his knees and Vaughn keeps the laughs rolling and yet shows a sensitive side which I have never seen this funny man do before. Together, the chemistry is very natural and believable, most likely because Vaughn and Aniston started dating in real life during filming.

This film fits it’s genre like a glove and remains light heartedly entertaining throughout. Be warned, however, that on watching with a member of the opposite sex you may find yourselves taking sides and been in arguments yourselves and, ladies, you will definitely have more than a flash of déjà vu.

Robyn