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The Dilemma
| Released |
21 January 2011 |
| Director |
Ron Howard |
Starring
|
Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Jennifer Connelly, Winona Ryder, Channing Tatum, Queen Latifah |
| Writer(s) |
Allan Loeb |
| Producer(s) |
Ron Howard, Brian Grazer |
| Origin |
United States |
| Running Time |
118 minutes |
| Genre |
Comedy |
| Rating |
12A |
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Bromance is dead.
For many, the biggest mystery to emerge so far in this new year is what happened to all those birds. Well, I’ve got an even bigger conundrum to throw into the ring; why would anyone hire Vince Vaughan to be their leading man? This exceptionally large waste of space has appeared in an almost unbroken run of turkeys since he found fame in 1996’s Swingers, yet he remains unfathomably popular. Think back; even those films he’s been involved in that haven’t been too painful (Dodgeball say) have been despite of, not because of his performances.
This does not bode well for The Dilemma, since the action of the plot rests heavily on Vaughan’s shoulders. Unfortunately he has the air of a man who is bored by his very existence. Dead behind the eyes, he goes through the motions of yet another bromance with his brain ticking along on cruise control. Infected by this, The Dilemma left me in an almost catatonic state and far from the point of uttering even a chuckle.
Vaughan plays Ronny, a man we’re told is universally loved for his humour and charm (neither of which I saw any evidence of) who has been best friends and business partners with Nick (Kevin James) since college. Together they swap “you had to be there” stories and engage in tiresomely dull, zany set-pieces. All this cringeworthy male bonding is placed in jeopardy when Ronny stumbles upon Nick’s wife Geneva (Winona Ryder) in the arms of another man (Channing Tatum) and must decide how to break the news.
It’s all just as uninspiring as it sounds despite some surprising names attached to the project. Ron Howard directs and judging by the uneven tone between relationship comedy and broad humour (neither of which hit home), he was way outside of his comfort zone. Oscar nominee Jennifer Connolly appears in a vacuum of a part as Ronny’s long-suffering girlfriend and Winona Ryder chips away at the kudos she’s currently winning for her turn in Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan. Kevin James meanwhile has little to do aside from his usual plaintive underdog routine.
Though not quite as objectionable as Couples Retreat, this is not far off. Another black mark against Mr. Vaughan. Hopefully.
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Linda O’Brien |
