The Break-up Parent Guide
Parent Movie Review
There’s nothing subtle about Gary Grobowski’s (Vince Vaughn) approach when he makes a pass at Brooke Meyers (Jennifer Aniston) during a Chicago Cubs baseball game. It’s a kind of clutch and grab come-on that ought to make any girl turn and run. Instead, the opening credits are a montage of happy snapshots showing the two of them during a 2-year relationship that followed their initial meeting.
The pictures give no hints of brewing trouble. But there is trouble and it all comes to a head following a dinner for the couple’s respective families who are as oddly matched as the brash city tour guide and the svelte high-end art dealer.
For the record, the catalyst behind their big break-up isn’t really about forgotten lemons, dirty dishes or an obsession with violent video games. It’s about the lack of consideration and appreciation that too commonly creeps into comfortable relationships. And on that point the movie has something to say.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t say it very well. Instead of addressing the kinds of cooperation and negotiation needed for success in long-term relationships, the film focuses on the escalating exchange of nasty jabs between Gary and Brooke as they try to one-up the bad behavior of the other. The results are loud verbal outbursts, wild strip poker parties, flaunted nudity and a string of dates used as unsuspecting pawns. As well as turning to his bartender friend (Jon Favreau) for advice and a drink, Gary, along with Brooke, drag their mutual pals into the fray forcing them to pick sides in the ongoing battle.
Billed as a romantic comedy, the script relies on sexually charged comments, body waxing, ethnic jokes and suggestions of homosexuality for humor. As well, the movie contains depictions of back and buttock nudity, profanities and strong sexual terms. After spending nearly two hours with this unhappy couple obsessed with looking for hurtful ways to bring each other to his or her knees, it’s hard to understand why they want to stay together. Likewise, a lack of on-screen chemistry between the performers—and the fact it’s hard to laugh at something as painful as this break-up—makes it hard to understand why the audience will want to stay and watch.
Starring Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman. Running time: 105 minutes. Theatrical release June 1, 2006. Updated February 13, 2012About author
The Break-up
Rating & Content Info
Why is The Break-up rated PG-13? The Break-up is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sexual content, some nudity and language
It’s no holds barred when Gary and Brooke break up following a strained dinner with their families. As well as attacking one another of being inconsiderate, they fight about the perverted, insatiable sexual habits of each other’s siblings and the homosexual tendencies on numerous occasions. Brooke is accused of running around with another man and Gary is repeatedly encouraged to sleep with other women. While visiting a nightclub, Gary sees exotic dancers wearing tiny dance costumes and overhears his younger brother’s crude invitation to a woman for sex. The couple causes awkward situations when they openly fight in front of their friends. Gary plays sports and violent video games as a means of relaxing. During an at-home strip poker game, the participants smoke cigar, drink alcohol and dance while mostly unclothed. A woman visits a spa for a pubic wax job and then struts naked through the house. (Back and buttock nudity is shown.) A man is charged with holding orgies in his home. A statue is depicted with a faucet for a penis. A portrait shows a woman with partially exposed breasts. The backside of a nude male model is seen. A woman encourages a friend to look up a man for sexual activities. A man kicks another character, knocking him to the floor, causing injuries and a bloody nose. Characters drink with dinner, at sporting events, at home parties and in bars and nightclubs. Gary encourages the tourists on his bus to get drunk. The script contains sexual discussions, crude jokes, and numerous profanities including an extreme sexual expletive as well as derogatory ethnic and sexually oriented comments.
Page last updated February 13, 2012
The Break-up Parents' Guide
Brooke sees herself as the glue that holds their relationship together. Is it easier to see your own contributions to a relationship than the other party’s? What are Gary’s needs in the partnership? What things does Brooke want? How willing are they to compromise for one another? How often should one person give into the wishes of the other?
How much abuse can a relationship take before it is irreparable? How does Gary and Brooke’s one-upmanship hurt their chances of getting back together? What part does forgiveness play in rebuilding bonds?
Gary and Brooke force their shared friends to pick sides in their battle. Can mutual friends avoid this problem and continue to support both partners in a break up? How can the loss of friends, as well as a partner, affect a person?
Home Video
The most recent home video release of The Break-up movie is October 16, 2006. Here are some details…
DVD Release Date: 17 October 2006
The Break-up comes to DVD with the following bonus extras: two commentaries (one with stars Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston, the other with director Peyton Reed), an alternate ending, deleted and extended scenes, as well as outtakes. There are also four featurettes, a making-of The Break-up, Three Brothers: A Tour of Chicago, Improv with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, and In Perfect Harmony: The Tone Rangers. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo) and French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), with subtitles in English SDH, French, Spanish.
Related home video titles:
Chicago baseball fans seem to be a popular topic for romantic movies, as was the case in 2005’s Fever Pitch. Another couple argues over living quarters in The More The Merrier. A New York designer does her best to break up with her country-bred husband so she can marry the new man of her dreams in Sweet Home Alabama.