Review of The Break-Up

Movie #38 - The Break-Up

The Break-Up is a story about Gary and Brooke: a couple living in Chicago that have issues they can't work out. Brooke gives her all in the relationship, and Gary takes it for granted. He's someone who always has to get what he wants and do what he wants, and he is completely oblivious to the wants and needs of another person. He keeps talking about "honoring his commitments" when it comes to the bowling team and video games, but he doesn't realize the one commitment he is not honoring is his relationship with Brooke. Gary finally opens his eyes and realizes he needs to change his ways, but it's too late. He's lost his condo, his life, and his girl. The one truly good thing to come of this disaster is that he still changes, even though he's not going to get anything out of it immediately. His business takes off and he makes a better life for himself. The end of the film shows Gary and Brooke running into each other on the street some months later, and I believe we're meant to think that they will find their way back to each other.

The Break-Up isn't that great of a movie, but the story is what gets me hooked. It's personal for me. I had a relationship much like Brooke and Gary's, except my guy wasn't self-absorbed like Gary. I couldn't take it anymore and left him to find out if I was meant for better things in the world. Months later, we ran into one another and that started our way back to each other. Now we've been married for six years and still counting! In those months we spent apart, we both changed for the better. It was what we needed to find our true selves and the path we were meant to follow. This is what happens between Gary and Brooke in the film. That's why, I believe that, Gary and Brooke end up together in the end. When someone is willing to change their outlook on life for you, that means you are worth their time and their love. For Brooke not to give Gary a second chance would be crazy.

Other than me having a soft spot for the story line, I didn't much care for the film itself. Even though Vince Vaughn is usually hilarious, they make him too big of a jerk for me to like him in The Break-Up. No wonder Brooke gave up on him. The one scene that sticks with me throughout the entire film is the opening scene. Gary has a conversation with Brooke about the guy she's with at the baseball game, and he asks her if she sees herself marrying him. He says, if not, then he's not worth your time. He basically persuades her to date him instead of the guy she's with. The reason this sticks with me is because, from the beginning, he is getting what he wants. I don't know how long Brooke and Gary are together because they don't mention that at any time, but how does this aspect of Gary's personality not bug her and make her confront him with it earlier? I mean, I get holding off and bottling up everything that bugs you and letting your significant other have it all at once, but this seems like A LOT to let someone know at once. In Gary's defense, he's blindsided with it at dinner one night, and he doesn't know how to react. Even though he's a jerk, some people just don't realize they're doing anything wrong because that's how they've always acted. I think Brooke should've just sat down with him and discussed it way earlier than she did, but whatever. To each his own. In the long run, I guess the break-up is what they needed to get their relationship back on track. As was the case with me, sometimes a break-up is the best thing that could happen for two people. It makes them realize how much they do care about each other.

Overall, I give The Break-Up 2.5 out of 5 stars.