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(About Our Ads) "THE BREAK-UP" (2006) (Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Minor Heavy None Minor Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Moderate None None None Heavy Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy Mild None Moderate Mild QUICK TAKE: Romantic Comedy: An unmarried couple has a falling out after buying a Chicago condo together. PLOT: Gary Grobowski (VINCE VAUGHN) is a charismatic tour guide for a Chicago tour bus business he runs with his brothers Lupus (COLE HAUSER) and Dennis (VINCENT D'ONOFRIO). Brooke Meyers (JENNIFER ANISTON) works alongside receptionist Christopher (JUSTIN LONG) at an art gallery named after the proprietor Marilyn Dean (JUDY DAVIS). The two meet at a baseball game, he sweeps her off her feet, they fall in love and buy a highly desired condo together. But things then quickly turn sour when Brooke realizes Gary doesn't appreciate her and the things she does for him, while he thinks all she does is nag him and refuses to let him get a pool table for their place. Accordingly, she turns to her married friend Addie (JOEY LAUREN ADAMS) for advice, all while getting moral support from her flamboyant brother Richard (JOHN MICHAEL HIGGINS) who belongs to an all-male a cappella group, The Tone Rangers. Meanwhile, Gary confides in his best friend Johnny O (JON FAVREAU), while their real estate agent friend Riggleman (JASON BATEMAN) finds himself stuck in the middle since he sees a lucrative commission should they decide to sell. But neither wants to give up the place, and thus a war of wills soon escalates between the two. From that point on, and as their relationship further disintegrates, Gary and Brooke find themselves torn between their love that once was and their desire to drive the other out of their place. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Teens looking for a date movie might be interested in it, as might fans of anyone in the cast. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For sexual content, some nudity and language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: VINCE VAUGHN plays a self-centered tour bus co-owner and guide who falls for Brooke and ends up moving in with her into a swanky condo they've just purchased. His lack of desire to help out and/or appreciate her and her efforts eventually leads to the demise of their relationship. He drinks, smokes cigars, uses some profanity and participates in a game of strip poker with some women. JENNIFER ANISTON plays his girlfriend, an art gallery employee who becomes fed up with his self-centered ways. She eventually breaks up with him and then tries to get even (and/or make him jealous) by going out with other men while they're still living together. She uses profanity (some of it briefly strong). JOEY LAUREN ADAMS plays her best friend, a married mother who tries to give her the right advice for the situation. She drinks a bit. JON FAVREAU plays Gary's best friend, a bartender who similarly gives advice to him about what to do. He drinks and half-jokingly threatens to have Brooke's date whacked. COLE HAUSER plays Gary's outspoken brother and co-owner of their company who's forward with women and encourages Gary to get on with his life. JUDY DAVIS plays Brooke's haute boss who has no problem telling her what to do regarding her relational woes. JUSTIN LONG plays her slightly flamboyant receptionist who hears all about just that. JOHN MICHAEL HIGGINS plays Brooke's highly flamboyant brother and singer who has no problem putting Gary in his place. VINCENT D'ONOFRIO plays Gary's business-minded brother who's more concerned with Gary doing business work than in his problems with Brooke. JASON BATEMAN plays the couple's friend and real estate agent who sees a big commission in selling their place. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this romantic comedy that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 1 "f" word, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Various instances of sexually related dialogue (some of it crude) are present, as are instances of nudity (partially seen, just off camera, or out of focus, such as when a woman walks away from the camera fully nude), along with varying amounts of cleavage. Some scantly clad women are partially seen following a game of strip poker, a sculpture realistically uses a water spigot in place of a man's genitals, and implications are made that a flamboyant character is gay. Various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes, while characters drink in various scenes and a few smoke cigars. One character repeatedly strikes and floors another (played for comedy), while other behavior may be enticing for some kids to imitate. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those concerned with bright flashes of light on the screen, there are some brief strobe effects in one scene set in the condo. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Upon first meeting her at a baseball game, Gary asks Brooke if she wants to go out for a drink and jokes about her having a lot to drink that upcoming night when she'd be on a date with another guy. During an opening credit montage roll, we see various still photos that include images of beer around Gary and others. Brooke pours some wine into her cooking (and it flares up), while Gary comes home and has a beer. Gary and Brooke's families raise a toast with glasses of wine. Brooke comments about some drunken people at a football game in the past. Gary and Johnny O have beer in a bar where the latter works as a bartender. Addie and her husband have beer at a bowling alley. Thinking she's affected Gary in her favor, Brooke says that he'll go out and get drunk. People have drinks in a club. When Gary returns home, he gets out many cans of beer for himself. Embarrassed by Richard beating him up, Gary says he was hung-over at the time. When a date shows up to take out Brooke, Gary tells the man that her favorite drinks are apple martinis and that two should do the trick. Later, that man does order two apple martinis for them, but Brooke says she'll just have water. To spite Gary while going on a date with another guy, Brooke tells the man that she knows a great little martini bar. Gary drinks from a bottle and looks dazed and/or drunk (while a scantly clad woman dances in front of him). Brooke orders two beers at a concert (for herself and Gary, but he never shows up). Gary has a beer in Johnny O's bar. We see that Gary has set the table, including a bottle of wine there. Gary and Johnny O have beer. Joking with some tourists, Gary tells them not to get "hopped up" and make bad decisions. BLOOD/GORE About a guy sitting next to him at a baseball game, Johnny O complains that the man is sitting like he's on a toilet with his legs spread. Gary has a slightly bloody nose after Richard beats him up (for interrupting their singing group). DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Despite Brooke being at a baseball game with another guy, Gary hits on her and persuades her to go out with him. Gary and Brooke develop bad attitudes toward each other that only worsen as the story progresses. Gary doesn't want to help Brooke prepare for their dinner party with their families, and doesn't help in various aspects when she asks. Later, he doesn't offer or want to help in cleaning up after the event. Gary and Brooke get into an argument over him wanting a pool table (and do so in front of their families over dinner). A person starts to tell a joke about an Eskimo and a black guy, but is interrupted before telling the punch line. Gary goes against Brooke's decision and gets a pool table for their place. Mad at Gary, Brooke throws his clothes out of the bedroom and into the hallway. Showing Gary how to approach women in a club, Lupus chats with one and says he'd like to get her naked, wrap her in plastic wrap and provide two holes for her, one for her mouth and the other he doesn't get to mention as she and her friend walk away disgusted. Gary refers to Richard as being gay. While upset, Gary uses the terms "queens" and "pollocks" (the latter referring to himself). Addie calls Brooke at a predetermined time during the latter's first date with a guy (to rescue her and give her a fake reason to leave). Gary has some women over to play strip poker (to spite Brooke). Thinking Brooke is out on a date with another guy, Johnny O tells Gary that they need to find someone who can't be traced back to either of them who will do something bad to that man. Gary says no, but Johnny O keeps going on about how he'll take care of that matter (played as comedy by the film). FRIGHTENING SCENES None. GUNS/WEAPONS Club/Molotov Cocktails: Briefly seen being used in video games. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "It doesn't f*cking matter," "I deserve somebody who gives a sh*t," "The same old sh*t," "I hate to be sh*tty about it," "Bang the sh*t out of her" (sexual), "You look like sh*t," "What sort of bullsh*t move was that?" "Pack up your sh*t and go home," "I don't need this sh*t right now," "That's bullsh*t," "You're a pr*ck," "She's been through a lot" (said by one person followed by another adding, "Of d*ck"), "Sweating like a Tijuana whore," "We don't want her back out turning tricks" (said as a joke), "Where the hell can you..?" "I busted my ass all day," "I just want to be left the hell alone," "Do whatever the hell you want," "Stupid ass," "What the hell's wrong with you?" "What the hell are you doing?" "You're officially off the reservation," "Sprite," "That's you, Tonya Harding," "(Are you) Nuts," "Frickin,'" "Idiot," "Not a shot in hell," "Screws up," "Shut up," "Dude" and "Are you out of your mind?" Some teens might be enticed to copy things done in the film to irritate others and/or make them jealous. Brooke wears a midriff-revealing top. During an opening credit montage roll, we see a still photo showing Brooke making a goofy face. After a comment about him being part of an all-male a cappella group, Richard holds a single note for a long time at a dinner party. He then gets various family members to provide a verbal beat and accompanying background sounds while he gets up and sings "Owner of a Lonely Heart" directly in Gary's face. Mad at Gary, Brooke throws his clothes out of the bedroom and into the hallway. About his new resolve for their one-upped conflict, Gary says he's going to be like Lionel Ritchie and go all night long (in doing battle with her). Addie calls Brooke at a predetermined time during the latter's first date with a guy (to rescue her and give her a fake reason to leave). Gary, Lupus and two women partake in a game of strip poker. Dennis actively cleans out his ear with his hanky while talking to Gary. A female bartender has all sorts of tattoos as well as various rings and studs in her face. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 1 "f" word, 23 "s" words, 3 slang terms for sex ("bang," "doing" and "laid"), 4 using male genitals ("pr*ck," "d*ck" and what sounded like "Big old elephant log"), 9 asses (2 used with "hole"), 9 damns, 9 hells, 14 uses of "G-damn," 4 of "God," 3 of "Jesus," 2 each of "Oh God" and "Oh Jesus" and 1 use each of "Honest to God" and "Swear to God." SEX/NUDITY There's a comment about a person sweating like a "Tijuana whore." During an opening credit montage roll, we see a still photo of Gary and Brooke in bed together, kissing (he's shirtless, and we see her bare shoulders). Another image shows her in a cleavage-revealing outfit. While addressing the public on a bus tour, Gary jokes that they don't want their female driver back out "turning tricks" again. A sculpture in Marilyn's gallery is that of a male figure where a water spigot is at the crotch area representing the genitals. A minor character shows cleavage. After Brooke complains about Gary not offering to help around their place, he reminds her that he did something for her that morning that she didn't ask for (presumably alluding to something sexual). Some sketch-based artwork on the wall shows a woman's bare butt. After Gary informs Johnny O of his problems with Brooke, Johnny O matter-of-factly asks for the name of the guy Brooke is "doing" (having sex with). Gary says that's not the case, but Johnny O makes several more comments about her sleeping with someone else. We briefly see Gary in his boxers (and a regular shirt) when he takes of his pants to go to bed. Lupus tells Gary that he needs to find someone hotter than Brooke and "bang the sh*t out of her." Marilyn pats a guy on the clothed butt. A large portrait of Marilyn shows her cleavage. After Addie's husband asks for Gary's bowling team shirt back, the latter removes it in the bowling alley, leaving himself shirtless. We see some women doing some sexy dancing in a hip nightclub. Showing Gary how to approach women in a club, Lupus chats with one and says he'd like to get her naked, wrap her in plastic wrap and provide two holes for her, one for her mouth and the other he doesn't get to mention as she and her friend walk away disgusted. The term "laid" is used sexually. Brooke shows varying amounts of cleavage (sometimes a lot) in various outfits she wears in the film. At one point, she adjusts her chest in her low-cut dress. During an argument between Brooke and Gary, there's a comment, "Don't talk to me about the sexual habits of family members." Brooke then says that her sister has "been through a lot," with Gary chiming in "Of d*ck." He then adds that she slept with the entire offensive line of a pro football team. When the topic turns to Richard, Gary implies that he's gay, Brooke says he's not and Gary then replies that Richard might one day get married and have kids, but that the potential future wife will return home one day and find Richard with another man wearing leather helmets and clubbing each other to Yanni's greatest hits. We see Brooke's bare shoulder as she looks out from around the shower curtain while in the shower. Brooke asks for Marilyn's advice about dealing with Gary. She tells Brooke to make Gary jealous by showing her (Brooke's) "canvas" (naked body) and letting him think someone else wants to paint it. We then see Brooke getting a bikini area waxing (we don't see the area, just her reaction to the hair being yanked out) and then later see her walking through their condo naked. We see her bare back and the very top of her bare butt as she walks past Gary and goes to the kitchen. He then stares in amazement as she then walks back out and down the hallway, away from the camera (where we see an out of focus, full rear nude view of her). When a date shows up to take out Brooke, Gary tells the man that her favorite drinks are apple martinis and that two should do the trick. He also says that Brooke is into role playing and that the guy should put some zinc oxide on his nose (to be a like a lifeguard) to get the same effect. Lupus says something about a guy with a "big old elephant log" (or something like that, referring to the genitals -- not seen). Gary and Lupus have some women over to play strip poker. We then see one of the women remove her top to reveal her small bra and lots of cleavage. When Brooke returns, strobe effects are going off and we see partial images of the mostly nude women, including a bare-backed one with Lupus and a close-up view of the other woman's hip and crotch area (only wearing small panties). She's dancing in front of Gary who looks dazed. Later, Christopher talks of Gary having a Greek orgy there. Talking to Addie, Brooke hypothetically comments that for all Gary knows, she could be in bed "working" a guy. Brooke walks in on Marilyn lying on the floor (clothed) sketching a nude male model who's standing in front of her. Brooke sees everything, but we only see his bare back and very top of his bare butt along with Marilyn's sketch that shows his bare butt. Marilyn then tells Brooke to find a certain strapping young fellow while overseas and then says that's compliments of her (presumably meaning the guy is for sex). SMOKING During an opening credit montage roll, we see various still photos one of which shows Gary with a cigar. Gary, Lupus and some women smoke cigars during strip poker. TENSE FAMILY SCENES None. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT The different ways in which men and women view, approach and behave in relationships. Gary and Brooke buying a condo and moving in together without being married. Addie tells Brooke that men are like children in that they'll push the boundaries to see how far they can go. Trying to make others jealous (in a romantic sense). VIOLENCE Gary plays a video game where we see the animated character involved in carjacking. We then see an animated character hitting another with a baseball bat. Upset when Gary grabs something from his hand, Richard suddenly hits him several times (including in the throat), slams him against the wall (or a closet door), trips him and then presses his foot down on his neck (before resuming singing with his group that Gary interrupted). Gary has a slightly bloody nose from this (and it's all played for laughs). We see boxing violence in a video game Gary is playing, and then that of another animated character throwing what look like Molotov cocktails at others. Reviewed May 30, 2006 / Posted June 2, 2006