Breaking up is hard to do

Let's talk about it. Sure it's uncomfortable, but let's talk about it. The Break-Up, is it hope or hype?

Somewhere in between I would say.

Now first off, I am not a fan of "romantic comedies." However, when I saw the trailer for this I was intrigued. Plus, Vince Vaughn's career right now is equivalent to being on fire in NBA Jam. (Old School, Dodgeball, Wedding Crashers, Starsky And Hutch, and Thumbsucker which was an amazing indie film go check it out!)

The opening sequence while the credits roll is a montage of all these pictures of them doing girlfriend/boyfriend stuff, and then moving into a really sweet condo in downtown Chicago. Very shortly thereafter the couple has an impromptu blowup after a nice dinner and Anniston breaks up with Vaughn on the spot. She accuses him of being selfish and lazy, and he fires back saying all she does is nag him. Great scene as Anniston is trying to get Vaughn to fo the dishes and they start arguing while his attention is half on her, and half on his game of Grand Theft Auto.

However, Anniston does not really want to break up, she just wants Vaughn to basically appreciate her more. Yet the catch obviously being that they have such a nice condo they don't want to give it up, and they think that the other should move out. Let the good times roll.

The two figure out little schemes to get under the skin of each other so the other will move out. (having Anniston's gay brother perform with his choir in the apartment, Vaughn's strip poker party, Vaughn buying a pool table and putting it in the dining room, etc)

Finally, after the advice of their friend they decide to sell the condo because the fighting is out of control. Throughout all of this, Anniston is making subtle attempts to get back with Vaughn but he won't bite, even though he wants to. After they find a buyer for the condo, they both come to the realization that its really over because by this time the condo is the only thing keeping them somewhat together. So Anniston makes one last ditch effort to try and keep Vaughn...what happens? Well I won't say, you have to check it out because I don't want to ruin it.

Now the reviews seem to be mixed on this one from what I have read. But I have to lean on the side on those who enjoyed the film and here is why.

The film seems to be marketed as a "romantic comedy", but in essence it is not. It does have funny and comedic moments in it, but it has a much more serious tone to it overall, and I think they try to make a point of what a real life break up is more than anything, as opposed to drawing out laughs like all romantic comedies are intended to. They use the condo as the "reason" they are still quasi-together, but they could have used anything like a group of friends, amicable parents, a business operation they shared, etc. Having them use a living space though was what gave it a different feel to it than most other "romantic comedies."

The one up-manship is at its best between both sexes, and its probably the most realistic movie when it comes to a couple breaking up I think, but that's my opinion.

Overall, I walked away entertained but for different reasons than I thought I would be. I think this movie has been marketed completely wrong, and people will be shocked and maybe disappointed because the seriousness to it. But if you take it for what it's worth, then you will enoy it. It certainly stands out, and is much better than any other "romantic comedy"(...ughh I am sick of typing that) than I have seen, although I have not seen many, only when I have been forced to. But this is something both will like.

I give it like....7.9/10, it's a rental for sure. I saw this with a female friend, and I joked that I could see many couples going to this movie then going home that night and having "the talk" with their boyfriends, fiances, etc.

And that's what Hollywood is all about, ruining people's lives.