The Dilemma (2011)
Certified: 14
Duration: 127 minutes
Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Winona Ryder, Jennifer Connelly, Channing Tatum, Queen Latifah, Chelcie Rose
KRS release
The Dilemma presents Ronny (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Kevin James), two best friends who have been buddies since college and who have now set up a business together. They are designing innovative automobile engines and have just pitched the idea of an electric engine that produces the sound of a muscle car. They are collaborating with consultant Susan Warner (Queen Latifah) on this project. However, Nick is stressed out as he does not believe that much in this idea.
Meanwhile, Ronny discovers that Nick’s wife Geneva (Winona Ryder) is seeing Zip (Channing Tatum). He is now faced with a dilemma: He knows he should tell his friend about this but this could distract him from the project. This makes Ronny even more nervous; but Nick attributes this to the fact that Ronny is supposed to soon propose to his live-in girlfriend Beth (Jennifer Connelly).
Ronny’s behaviour becomes crazier and crazier, forcing everyone to start thinking that he may not be all there. Meanwhile, his dilemma starts becoming more and more problematic.
Ron Howard is mostly known for his serious work such as A Beautiful Mind (2001) and Cinderella Man (2005). However, he spent 10 years acting in the TV series Happy Days and also directed comedy classics like Splash (1984) and Parenthood (1989), so he knows a thing or two about comedy.
The Dilemma will please all those who are out for an entertaining and hilarious night out in a non-demanding way. At times crazier than crazy, this is however what fans of Matthew Vaughn and Kevin James expect and this is what they get.
Mr Vaughn continues his staple of rough and ready characters very much in the vein of last year’s Couple’s Retreat and in his biggest hit so far, the 2005 Wedding Crashers. It is inevitable that he will make mistakes, that he will end up botching a lot of events but he has quite a lot of good intentions.
Mr Vaughn goes over the top, as he seems to be always going over the edge with his nervy attitude and inevitably enough gets the audience on his side. He ends up dominating the scene in this movie that is supposed to be shared between four actors.
Mr James meanwhile complements his co-star well and makes us smile as he is the exact opposite of Mr Vaughn. Of the female cast it is Jennifer Connelly who plays her role as straight as a fiddle and is the anchor to the proceedings. Queen Latifah provides a comical presence of her own.
The Dilemma is more about male friendship and slapstick comedy (check out the fights that Mr Vaughn gets into in this picture). It may not be in Mr Howard’s vein of Oscar-aimed epics but it is entertaining. It’s more than the romantic comedy one expects, it’s about friends and the pains they put each other through... and be sure to check out the resolution to the whole dilemma.