I really enjoyed this movie. I went in not expecting much and was very pleasantly surprised. Vaugh and Aniston are on the money. All the supporting players are terrific. It's an honest, funny, and, at times, uncomfortably realistic portrayal of a couple at the end. If you've been through a break up, you'll see yourself here.

There is one foot stomping, hysterical scene with her brother. Chicago stars in an unbilled marvelously supporting role. The movie made me want to visit the Windy City and take a bus tour. When you've seen the movie, you'll know why.

I actually do want to see Chicago (and should get my wish in the not too distant future). It looks like a great city.

Fran and I saw it on Sat. I really don't know why all the critics were being so hard on it. It was enjoyable.

I thought this movie looked funny. Vince Vaughn can be hiliarious! I sometimes like Jennifer Aniston too.

BTW, Maggers, if you come to Chicago, let me know. I'm not too far away and wouldn't mind doing a couple bus tours too!

I'm originally from the 'burbs - but I have to say Chicago is a great place to visit, and especially to eat. I think the two things I miss most about the area are the arts and the eats and it's hard to decide between the two.

I have never, however, seen a "tour bus" in Chicago. If they really have any, that's news to me. There are, of course, many boat tours you can take along the Chicago River and also along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

The museums in the Grant Park area include the Art Institute and (moving south) the Field museum, the Adler Planetareum, and the Shedd Aquarium. Farther south along Lake Shore Drive is the Museum of Science and Industry. Some of the museums have free days and they're all incredible -
most of them are hard to explore in only one day. There are also a lot of other, smaller museaum in the area (the Oriental Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, etc.).

Chicago IS a big sports city. The rivalry between the Cub fans and Sox fans is always nuts this time of year. (Personally, I think anyone willing to subject themselves to three hours of boredom injected with possibly one to two minutes of a few out of shape, overweight, overpaid guys running - and paying to see this - yeah the're definitely nuts.) Apparently, they have a good arena football team, and - hope the wrong people don't read this or I'll be on the "hit list" - a sometimes decent futbol team. They play out in the 'burbs.

Also, I've found the best way to get around the city is to get a CTA (Chicago Transportation Authority) pass. A one day pass is $5.

Hope your trip is a go, Maggers, and hope it's as great as Chicago can be. If you're there around the 4th of July, I think somewhere around that time the Taste of Chicago is happening in Grant Park. Definitely worth checking out - plus free concerts every night with big headliners.

I enjoyed this movie, so let's get that out of the way, but Break-Up should have been a drama, not a comedy. The humor comes at the expense of good intentions that turn into cruel acts. The irony in the title of the movie derives from the fact that this cruelty has good intentions--and that is to get back together, but the acts in fact pull them further apart. The movie is sad, not funny. The couple do break up. Don't expect a happy ending. The cruels acts that appear so funny in the ads pull them apart but ultimately make them better persons who will probably find happiness with another partner. Like I said, I did enjoy this movie, but as a drama, not a comedy.

AC

P.S. The 3 brothers in the tour business was a great sub-plot and for me needed more time on the screen. Many great supporting actors were brushed aside to make more room for the "comedy." Sad. Waste of good talent.

I enjoyed this movie, so let's get that out of the way, but Break-Up should have been a drama, not a comedy. The humor comes at the expense of good intentions that turn into cruel acts. The irony in the title of the movie derives from the fact that this cruelty has good intentions--and that is to get back together, but the acts in fact pull them further apart. The movie is sad, not funny. The couple do break up. Don't expect a happy ending. The cruels acts that appear so funny in the ads pull them apart but ultimately make them better persons who will probably find happiness with another partner. Like I said, I did enjoy this movie, but as a drama, not a comedy.

AC

P.S. The 3 brothers in the tour business was a great sub-plot and for me needed more time on the screen. Many great supporting actors were brushed aside to make more room for the "comedy." Sad. Waste of good talent.

The movie, like life, has its lighter and darker sides. Obviously with a title like "The Breakup" it's about a couple coming apart at the seams. I've seen Vince Vaughn on talk shows candidly acknowledging that the movie is about a breakup, don't expect to see them getting back together again.

Why can't a comedy be dramatic or a drama be comedic? Why label the darn thing anyway? You must have seen a different movie. I didn't see the sort of cruelty you're referencing. I saw people who were hurt and angry and not communicating well, which is what usually happens when couples fight.

I thought the tone of the movie was spot on. I thought the writing was great and protrayed the kind of thinking and acting, or acting out, that can happen when things fall apart.

Why can't a comedy be dramatic or a drama be comedic? Why label the darn thing anyway?

Complete agreement, Maggers. Those are the best kinds of movies! Otherwise it's too one-dimensional to be very entertaining, for me anyway. I haven't seen this movie, but after reading these opinions, I think I will.

..
I have never, however, seen a "tour bus" in Chicago. If they really have any, that's news to me. There are, of course, many boat tours you can take along the Chicago River and also along the Lake Michigan shoreline...

Thanks for the information!

The tour bus is a running gag in the movie. Vince Vaughn and his brothers have a tour bus business, much like the double decker buses here in NYC that travel all over Manhattan and even into parts of Brooklyn. In the movie, Vaughn is the "talent" for the tour bus, and he and his brothers are trying to venture into the boat tour business, too.

If Chicago doesn't have a bus tour, someone should start one. They are a great way to see a large city.

The movie, like life, has its lighter and darker sides. Obviously with a title like "The Breakup" it's about a couple coming apart at the seams. I've seen Vince Vaughn on talk shows candidly acknowledging that the movie is about a breakup, don't expect to see them getting back together again.

Why can't a comedy be dramatic or a drama be comedic? Why label the darn thing anyway? You must have seen a different movie. I didn't see the sort of cruelty you're referencing. I saw people who were hurt and angry and not communicating well, which is what usually happens when couples fight.

I thought the tone of the movie was spot on. I thought the writing was great and protrayed the kind of thinking and acting, or acting out, that can happen when things fall apart.

We saw the same movie--we just have different definitions of cruelty. One example, Jen's friend sets her up with a guy to make Vince jealous. They use this poor guy and the audience gets a laugh in the process. The biggest laugh in the audience where I saw the movie was when Vince is beaten by the effeminate brother of Jen. In real life the cops get called, but that would have taken away from the comedy, especially when Jen gets to rub Vince's face in his beating, further humiliating him. Oh, and when Vince brings the stripper over to get back at Jen, and Jen walks in on them--it's about there that the comedy sank and the drama took over. I have not had the pleasure of seeing the darker breakups you describe, but if this movie is an indication of what you have seen in your life, then I think that says more about the viewer, not the movie.

AC

P.S. No intent here to get all serious here. It was a good movie. And it seems we both enjoyed it, but on different levels.

I watched "Lantana" the night before I saw "The Breakup." This may have affected my perspective on the "comedy" aspects of the Vince/Jen movie. If you haven't seen Lantana, rent it, please. This is a dramatic breakup movie, with a happy (?) ending, such as it is. I'd compare it to a cross between Crash and The Breakup, without the "comedy."

AC