The Breakup Artist

A romantic comedy that made me laugh and cry......And I'm a man! Damn this movie for making me feel things. A very fresh take on the romantic comedy genre. You feel like the characters are your own friends by the end of the movie. But then when the credits roll, you realize that you are still a very lonely person with no friends. Seriously though, it was very refreshing to see a man in a romantic comedy that shows more than one angle of what we are thinking. The relationship between the lead character Jim and his father was warming, funny, and had much more truth in it than you normally see in a movie. I highly suggest seeing this movie. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll question your masculinity, you'll hit on the girl next to you, she'll turn you down, and you'll know that all things are right with the world again.

I liked this movie not only because it's funny, but because it has the potential to be just another "chick flick" kind of romantic comedy but it's not. It definitely comes from the male point of view. However another surprise about it that it's not your typical male viewpoint, either. It's not often you see a movie about a straight guy dealing with insecurities caused by his own limitations with regard to commitment. Also, the plot's not driven by sex or substances or materialism or any thing of that sort, rather there's a good dose of some old fashioned values at the core of this movie but it's all handled in a humorous way as opposed to being preachy. In fact it occurred to me after seeing this movies that it could just have well been set in the 40's rather than today; in many respects it felt like an updated version of something that might have been made then.

The story is well written for a first timer and there's some really funny moments and dialog. The key actors all do a convincing job and there's some really standout moments from the supporting players. It's hard not to come away from this movie feeling good about what you just experienced.

A refreshing addition to the romantic comedy genre, The Breakup Artist is a sweet, sweet film that just doesn't come along very often. Joe Taylor is charming as the guy who just doesn't get it and Paula Deviq is the clueless girl who just doesn't see it. Until of course they do . . . and well, you know the rest. But getting there is all the fun. The supporting cast is equally funny from the jerk Paula is engaged to, to the realtor who's trying to sell them a junior 2. Also nice turns from the actors playing the lead's father and brother. New York City is also a character and looks terrific even though it appears to have been shot on digital video. (It looks a million times better than Roger Dodger). It's a very impressive first time effort from Vincent Rubino. It would be amazing to see what he could do with a real budget.

Very sweet. No sex. True friendship. Sometimes the older ones are the best.

Jim and Teresa work together for a TV entertainment magazine in New York City. Jim hasn't had a lot of luck with women, but Jim's friend Tom is engaged to Teresa. He is having doubts, though.

Tom wants Jim to help him break up with Teresa. If he does, Jim has to decide whether he should act on his feelings for Teresa. Meanwhile, the beautiful Mona, who is a photographer, moves into Jim's building and seems to like him.

This movie depended on my liking the guys, which I didn't. I did enjoy seeing Jim with his elderly father, who still lived in New Jersey and missed his wife.

I really didn't like Teresa. She seems to get depressed easily and has a hard time recovering from that. My guess is people will think Paula Devicq did a really good job. She really achieved making me despise her.

I liked Jim's other female co-worker but don't remember her name.

Mona, who has an exotic beauty that suggests a Mediterranean or possibly black heritage, posed nude for one of her photographs (I'm assuming she took it herself with a timer). Jim can't help but see the photo because it is one of the largest items she is carrying into her new apartment. She looks great but if you see this on broadcast TV as I did, some body parts are blurred. She has a really nice smile and a great personality. Sarita Choudbury did a very good job.

You have to stay until the end of the closing credits. The very end. There are some great bloopers, mostly involving Regis Philbin, who Jim interviews on the red carpet. Regis is great. And knowing he was a producer of some sort, I have to wonder how Joseph Lyle Taylor kept his job. But of course if you know Regis, you know he is only kidding. He's so convincing, though.

Guys can enjoy this version of a chick flick. Just not me.