The Break Up

The title says it all: this ain't no romantic comedy. In fact, this paltry effort from the director of 'Bring It On' and 'Down With Love' fails to tickle any bone, much less your funny one. Beginning with some typical Hollywood-couple hi-jinks, the film soon runs out of story. Aniston and Vaughn trifle and jab to and fro trying to win each other back from the break-up neither of them wanted, and fail with increasing misery. While ringing fairly true to how a real break-up is, the film never actually says anything worthwhile, focusing on how petty those spiteful, eye for an eye revenge attacks are. Remember real life break-ups and then remember just how little entertainment value they offer, even with A-list actors duking it out. There are good reasons that unhappy endings are reserved for films beyond 'The Break-Up's kiddie pool depth. [David Winton]