My Dilemma with The Dilemma

Just came home from seeing The Dilemma with Vince Vaughn and Kevin James. No, I wasn't sitting with them in the theater, of course. They are the stars of the movie. Many moons ago when I saw the trailer for this movie I decided I didn't want to see it. I didn't find the jokes in the trailer especially funny and figuring that these were the best jokes, I wasn't intrigued. The review in the Philadelphia Inquirer was not very encouraging. A two star movie at best. Now, I must admit that I have been led astray by the Inquirer reviewers many, many times in the past. So I take their ratings with a very large grain of salt. My sister then told me that the NY Times and the New Yorker both really liked the movie. I admit it. I am susceptible to the allure of the Big Apple critics. I was also jonesing for a movie and my hubby and son were going to be glued to football playoffs, so off to the theater I went.

So, what you ask is my dilemma? Do I disagree with the NY critics and risk being too dumb, too unsophisticated, too naive, too plebian, or too "you fill in the blank?" Or do I tout the film and put myself in that revered company? Well, I think I take the risk. So here you go....

Definitely not a great movie, definitely not unwatchably bad. You've got to like Vince Vaughn to like this flick. He is in every scene. Don't go to this movie expecting to see a light comedy. Although there are some comic moments, the plot deals with several "heavy" issues. It is one of those movies where every character is dealing with a lot of stress, especially Vaughn so you never get to relax and enjoy anything. There is definite chemistry between Vaughn and James as best friends. As a woman who cannot experience it, I enjoy seeing male friendships on screen. Winona Ryder was appropriately creepy. Jennifer Connelly was fine as Vince's girlfriend, not a particularly interesting role. The best performance came from Channing Tatum who played his part with depth and range.

Bottom line: Don't make a special trip to see this movie, but if you're looking to get out of the house and you like Vince Vaughn and you're not looking to see something great...It won't hurt you. I give it 2 franks.