The Breakup Artist

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.

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed this light-hearted portrayal of the sometimes unnecessarily complicated relationships of several of the characters in this entertaining story. While the title may hint of an unemotional lead actor who terminates relationships at will, insights into the life of this character very convincingly convey his own sensitivities, vulnerabilities, old fashioned values and genuine interest in meeting the right girl and falling in love. The contrast of living in the "big city" while growing up in a small town and being grounded with old fashioned values is uniquely portrayed, i.e. sometimes humorously, sometimes seriously in the lead actor's interactions with family members, friends and potential future "Mrs. Right". Sprinkled with humorous lines throughout the movie, "The Breakup Artist" is a must see for those looking for an entertaining, feel good story about happy beginnings and the sometimes difficult road to getting there.