The Dilemma

The Dilemma (Rated PG-13)

Starring Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Winona Ryder, Jennifer Connelly, Channing Tatum, Queen Latifah

Directed by Ron Howard

Plot: When a man discovers his best friend's wife is having an affair, he's torn about whether to tell his friend or not.

The Dilemma has an identity crisis; it doesn't know whether it's a black comedy or a drama.  To add to the problem, the movie stars Kevin James - someone you wouldn't associate with either of those categories.  I don't have anything against Kevin James; he's hilarious in Hitch, and he even made Paul Blart, Mall Cop watchable.   But in this film, he's a serious automobile engineer who's wife is cheating on him.  Vince Vaughn is his best friend and business partner who finds out about the affair and then almost ruins all of his other relationships trying to figure out the best way to help his friend.

The bright spot in the movie is actually Winona Ryder, who starts off seemingly sweet, but when cornered about her transgressions turns wickedly vicious.  I couldn't stand her character, but she definitely threw herself into the role.  I'm enjoying seeing her back onscreen, after her personal dilemmas nearly destroyed her career.  I had forgotten what a talented actress she is.   Jennifer Connelly isn't bad, but with the exception of a scene towards the end, she really isn't given much to do.  And Vince Vaughn - well, he does what he always does - talks really fast throwing a lot of dialogue at you and hoping some of it makes you laugh.  In this movie, he just felt out of place to me.

Ron Howard is a brilliant director, but I really think he was out of his element here.  Like James, he's not someone you associate with dark comedies.  I think his direction is a large part of the movie's problem.  While Ron Howard started off with silly comedies like Night Shift and Splash, he hasn't tackled the genre in quite some time.  He's gotten far more used to making films that matter, like Frost/Nixon and A Beautiful Mind.  With The Dilemma, I think he tried too hard to make this comedy also take a serious look at the nature of relationships.  Neither succeed.  The movie is not funny; and it doesn't treat the relationships with enough realism to be a true drama.

This one is in second-run theaters now, and I still don't think it was worth the time and money.  I don't know that I would even recommend it as a DVD rental either, unless your a huge Vince Vaughn fan.

*****
Dad Suitability - While he might enjoy some of the scenes with the cars, everything else will leave Dad feeling like he's run out of gas.

Kid Suitability - Rated PG-13, there is truly nothing here worth taking the kids to see.  I'd say it's date night fare, but I'm not sure your date would forgive you.