Le dilemme

How could one go wrong with a cast like Jennifer Connelly, Vince Vaughn, Winona Ryder, Kevin James and Queen Latifah? While 'The Dilemma' isn't among the worst movies, it's still a big disappointment. The premise doesn't promise a classic but it sounded funny and since Vaughn and James were involved, I expected to laugh and with Ryder and especially Connelly, I expected some substance. 'The Dilemma' is a complete failure where substance is concerned. It did make me laugh on a few (very few occasions). Plot holes are very apparent and I also thought it was ridiculous how the story was making Ryder's Geneva to look like the villain when her husband is equally to be blamed for the same. In addition, the story deviates in the last half hour only to head further downhill. Vince Vaughn's Ronny is more vulnerable than the characters he usually plays and he does a good job. Kevin James's Nick suffers from poor writing. It's good to see Winona Ryder back in a meaty role (even though it was a small part). Luminous beauty and immensely talented Jennifer Connelly is criminally wasted. Ditto for the voluptuous Queen Latifah.

Ronny and Nick have been best friends since college. The two are partners in their own auto design firm; their big dream comes true when they land a big deal with Chrysler. Nick has found a way to make an electric car sound and feel like a muscle car. Ronny's life has now turned for the worst when he catches Nick's wife cheating with another man. So does he tell his best friend about the other man, or should he wait until the Chrysler presentation is over. Vince Vaughn's character over shot itself. It was just too much Vince. Jennifer Connelly gorgeous as usual. You caught your best friend's wife cheating, but to stretch this topic for a movie for a 1 hr. 58 min was just way to long. Not enough funny parts to compensate for the boring slow pace of the film. Constant yada yada's. Not one of Ron Howard's best films. Soft 3 stars out of 5

Vince Vaughn and Kevin James are friends. They get along, and their wives, Jennifer Connelly and Winona Ryder, get along. In the classic scenario that we all hear about but never want to happen to us, what happens if your best friend gets a divorce? It really does upset the apple cart, even though in a logical sense it shouldn't. If your best friend's marriage crumbles, you start to question the solidity of your own. You reconsider inviting him along to outings because he'd be a third wheel, or you feel obligated to split time with his ex-wife because she was your friend, too - and then you have to hide the fact that you're still spending time with her, so he doesn't get hurt feelings. You wonder if he'll start flirting with your wife, or you feel jealous when he enters a new, exciting relationship.

So, if you saw your best friend's wife having an affair, would you tell him? It's quite a dilemma. The premise and execution of the film is actually quite good, managing to keep enough dramatic tension and realism mixed in with silly humor. If you really don't like the style of Vince Vaughn or Kevin James, though, you probably won't like it. I'm really not a fan of either Winona Ryder or Jennifer Connelly, but I was still able to enjoy the movie. Ladies in the audience will love drooling over Channing Tatum, the boyfriend on the side, and gents will appreciate Vince Vaughn's hesitancy as he tries to do the right thing. If you're in a rocky relationship, I wouldn't recommend this as a date night movie, but if you're watching it by yourself or with some pals it should be fine. Just don't watch it with your best friend unless you're prepared to answer how you'd react in such a dilemma!

This movie is a shameful waste of $70,000,000. It's also an unusual waste of a talent like Jennifer Connely.

I can't even begin to tell you where this movie goes wrong, because it never seemed to go right. For the first 30 minutes of the movie, there is nothing remotely funny, original or entertaining. I gave it the benefit of the doubt, telling myself "ok, Ron Howard is just setting up the premise. It will get better." But it doesn't. Not a bit.

I had to repeatedly resist the urge to take out my phone and play Skee Ball. I should have, however, given in to the temptation to leave the theatre and demand my money back.

PS to the studio - don't market a film as a comedy if its not remotely funny. It does nothing to enhance your already tarnished reputation. (Clearly you are still pumping out left over crap from 2010)

Really good actors and a premise that could have worked, but it failed in its execution. It was a bit like someone had assembled a lot of fresh, delicious ingredients in the kitchen, but didn't really know what flavors go with what, how much of each should be included, or what method to cook it and how long.

Too bad, because the actors gave it their all, and I felt like I could see where Ron Howard was TRYING to go with it... but unfortunately, it didn't quite make it there.

It wasn't terrible, but I can't say I laughed or ever really felt very invested in the characters. I commend the actors though -- a lot of times when the movie isn't going well, you can tell the actors have just decided to phone it in. I never felt like that with this cast, so kudos to them for that. Otherwise, it was basically forgettable.