The Break-Up (12A)

Nicholas Barber
Sunday 23 July 2006 00:00 BST
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The Break-Up could be a sequel to almost any Hollywood romantic comedy.

In a photo-montage over the opening credits, Vince Vaughn's motormouthed Chicago tour guide (right) and Jennifer Aniston's diligent art gallery manager are seen falling in love and moving in together. Then the trouble starts. Following some horribly believable arguments - ""I didn't say you were crazy, I said you were acting crazy" - Aniston dumps Vaughn. But neither will move out of their apartment, so while they're waiting for the property to be sold, they live in separate rooms, and do their best to torment one another. He throws strip-poker parties late at night; she invites her brother's a capella group over early in the morning. This portion of the film works well enough as a loose compilation of sketches, and it's always a pleasure to see Vaughn gabbing away with his old Swingers buddy, Jon Favreau.

But most viewers, male and female, will come to the conclusion that Aniston was dead right to jilt the selfish, arrogant slob who's been taking her for granted. It's reminiscent of the many, many episodes of Friends in which Ross and Rachel were at loggerheads, except without the preceding years of romance which made you want them to get back together.

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