The Dilemma (2011)
Average Rating: 4.3/10
Reviews Counted: 158
Fresh: 38 | Rotten: 120
It boasts a likable cast and an interesting premise, but The Dilemma can't decide what to do with them; the result is an uneven blend of cheesy slapstick and surprisingly dark comedy.
Average Rating: 4.6/10
Critic Reviews: 31
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 22
It boasts a likable cast and an interesting premise, but The Dilemma can't decide what to do with them; the result is an uneven blend of cheesy slapstick and surprisingly dark comedy.
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Average Rating: 2.8/5
User Ratings: 53,876
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Movie Info
Vince Vaughn and Kevin James headline an all-star comedy from director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer about a man who finds out that what you don't say to a friend is just as important as what you do. Jennifer Connelly, Winona Ryder, Channing Tatum and Queen Latifah join them in The Dilemma, a story of how far you can bend a brotherly bond before it snaps. Since college, confirmed bachelor Ronny (Vaughn) and happily married Nick (James) have been through thick and thin. Now partners in an
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Cast
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Vince Vaughn
Ronny Valentine -
Kevin James
Nick Brann3n, Nick Bran... -
Jennifer Connelly
Beth -
Christina Anthony
Bank Customer -
Winona Ryder
Geneva -
Channing Tatum
Zip -
Queen Latifah
Susan Warner -
Amy Morton
Diane Popovich -
Chelcie Ross
Thomas Fern -
Eduardo N. Martinez
Felix -
Rance Howard
Burt -
Clint Howard
Herbert Trimpy -
Guy Van Swearingen
Saul -
Troy West
Dr. Rosenstone -
Laura Whyte
Sue -
Grace Rex
Cousin Betty -
Mike McNamara
Cousin James -
Rebecca Spence
Jackie -
Tim Edward Rhoze
Charles -
Madison Dirks
B & V Worker -
Michael Patrick Thornton
B & V Worker -
Mimi Sagadin
B & V Worker -
Sandy Marshall
Medic at Gardens -
Talulah Riley
Concept Car Spokesmodel -
William Smillie
Poissonier -
Jillian Burfete
Restaurant Server -
Katie Korby
Restaurant Server -
Catherine Bruzzini
Restaurant Patron -
Laura Cooper
Waitress -
Mariko Hayashi-Hall
Vietnamese Parlor Owner -
Cheryl Hamada
Vietnamese Parlor Worke... -
Gary Houston
Camera Clerk -
Wendy George
Store Clerk -
Keith Kupferer
Bank Customer -
Kevin Bigley
Bank Customer -
Philip Rayburn Smith
Gilbert -
Elaine Robinson
Mom -
Nick Brade
Skate Rat -
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Michael Trnka
Skate Rat -
Chante Linwood
El Train Patron -
Kielor Roberts
Diane's Son -
Benjamin Toby Mullinkosso...
Skate Rat -
Karen Aldridge
Receptionist -
Gene Honda
Shoot the Puck Announce... -
Heidi Johanningmeier
Shoot the Puck Girl -
Brennan Buhl
Shoot the Puck Guy -
William M. Connor
Disgruntled Fan -
Christopher Meister
Concession Stand Custom... -
Charlie Hilbrant
Concession Stand Custom...
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The Dilemma Trailer & Photos
All Critics (159) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (121) | DVD (2)
As cumbersome and drawn out as a slowly deflating tire, this cinematic collision between Vaughn's celebrated funny-surly persona and Howard's earnest pedigree is a bore -- and a serious miscalculation.
Top CriticWho ever thought that Ron Howard could make a cult film? This movie is a mess, but it's an intelligent and affecting mess.
It lacks faith in its story, characters and audience.
Perhaps the late Blake Edwards could have found a balance between slapstick and psychodrama, but Ron Howard can't get the pacing right, and Allan Loeb's script is even wordier than the one he wrote for Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
The filmmakers just don't know what to do about the ladies.
Bromances being what they are, Vince's sharp pang of disappointment might have been worth pursuing but, Ron Howard being who he is, not a chance.
Unsettling and so off tone that we wonder if we are supposed to be laughing at this at all.
The Dilemma is quite enjoyable until its characters stop behaving like rational adults and start acting like they've just realised they've got a film to finish.
It deals with a serious issue of problems in a marriage, but it does so in such an ignorant, clumsy, sophomoric way with a sexist point of view that it loses any value, either morally or in terms of entertainment.
The man who grew up on sitcoms and then made agreeable diversions like Splash and Parenthood seems to have lost his comedic touch.
Shockingly dark, the focus of "The Dilemma" is less about cheap laughs and more about the absurd humor of existential loneliness.
Director Ron Howard, usually a surer touch behind the camera, seems out of his element here, unable to bring anything into clear comedic focus.
The story may wander, and bears none of Howard's usual hallmarks, but the talent involved ensures The Dilemma offers more than just your average date movie.
This film is familiar territory to director Howard ("Parenthood") but, as always, he finds a way to get the right performances from his actors...
Even for an experienced director like Howard, there are just too many problems to get around.
In spite of the talent, The Dilemma misfires
Feels like a throwaway effort by everyone involved.
An intriguing marital dramedy that rides the line between great and awful, often undone by lazy editing.
The Dilemma gets the indifferent DVD treatment it deserves. Skip it.
...far too sedate and uneven to make a wholeheartedly positive impact on the viewer.
Do you trust this movie to tackle the issue with fairness and brains?
The Dilemma requires a director willing to indulge the dark comedy to its fullest. One name that style doesn't bring to mind for the job is Ron Howard.
Surely this balancing act involving both heartbreak and humor will polarize those who would prefer that the film stick to one or the other.
Some great chemistry between the central duo is undone by a plot that is so frustrating you will want to chew off your arm. It's so frustrating that the ending is a palpable relief.
The Dilemma is built upon an inherently false premise. In its heart it knows this, so it expends all sorts of energy trying to throw sand in the eyes of viewers, obscuring this fact for the sake of 'zaniness.'
Audience Reviews for The Dilemma
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Ronny Valentine: The conscience speaks, not in audible words, but through that small voice from within.
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- Ronny Valentine: I'm a burn that face! Give me that stupid looking face!
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- Herbert Trimpy: Those plants are poisonous!
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- Ronny Valentine: Nick, great moments come from great opportunities. And that's what you've earned here today. It's what you've earned here today
Discussion Forum
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Latest News on The Dilemma
January 19, 2011:
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Foreign Titles
- Dickste Freunde (DE)
- Le Dilemme (FR)
