The Break-Up

2006

The Break-Up

Critics Consensus

This anti-romantic comedy lacks both laughs and insight, resulting in an odd and unsatisfying experience.

34%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 192

46%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 450,300
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Movie Info

A once-loving Chicago couple whose happily-ever-after quickly turned into a never-again finds their crumbling romance complicated when both parties refuse to move out of the pair's recently purchased condo. The Break-Up is a romantic comedy that starts where all the others end. The future once looked promising for thirtysomething couple Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) and Gary (Vince Vaughn), but lately it seems like a series of increasingly petty and intolerable squabbles have snuffed any semblance of romance in their relationship. Their confrontation endlessly fueled by mean-spirited suggestions of revenge tactics from friends and family and their stubborn refusal to budge resulting in an excruciating stalemate, Brooke and Gary ultimately decide to spitefully stick it out as hostile roommates until the weaker party eventually admits defeat. As the competition to drive one another out grows increasingly intense and outrageous, however, Brooke eventually comes to the realization that she's not fighting for possession of the condominium as much as she is fighting to salvage her relationship with the man she once viewed as the love of her life. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Cast

Vince Vaughn
as Gary Grobowski
Jennifer Aniston
as Brooke Meyers
Joey Lauren Adams
as Addie
Cole Hauser
as Lupus Grobowski
Jon Favreau
as Johnny O
Jason Bateman
as Riggleman
Judy Davis
as Marilyn Dean
Justin Long
as Christopher
John Michael Higgins
as Richard Meyers
Ann-Margret
as Wendy Meyers
Vincent D'Onofrio
as Dennis Grobowski
Peter Billingsley
as Andrew
Vernon Vaughn
as Howard Meyers
Ivan Sergei
as Carson Wigham
Elaine Robinson
as Carol Grobowski
Jane Alderman
as Mrs. Grobowski
Jacqueline Williams
as Shondra
Jane Hu
as Diane
Rebecca Spence
as Jen
Mary-Pat Green
as Mischa
Keir O'Donnell
as Date Paul
Geoff Stults
as Date Mike
Tiffany Addison
as Waitress
Tiffany L. Addison
as Waitress
Jessica Vilchis
as Hot Girl No. 1
Lisa Pace
as Hot Girl No. 2
Samantha Albert
as Debbie
Ryan Cowhey
as Andrew Jr.
Susan Messing
as Tourist
Megan Klein
as Sally
Wayne A. Brown
as Tourist
Maynard Love
as Tourist
William Dick
as Waiter
Jenna Hurt
as Poker Girl
Jessica Stramer
as Poker Girl
Ashley Giancola
as Poker Girl
Lanae Sahs
as Poker Girl
Nydia Rodriguez Terracina
as Boat Tourist
Phil Ridarelli
as Boat Tourist
Sharon Vaughn
as Boat Tourist
Rhett Miller
as Old 97's
Murry Hammond
as Old 97's
Ken Bethea
as Old 97's
Philip Peeples
as Old 97's
Gunnar Madsen
as Tone Rangers
Karl Solis
as Tone Ranger
Michael Winther
as Tone Ranger
Eric Bradley
as Tone Ranger
Paul Peterson
as Tone Ranger
Sean P. Gorecki
as Tone Rangers
Eddie Martinez
as Hot Dog Vendor
Chuck Stubbings
as County Clubber
Trisha 'Star' Vargo
as Riv Bartender
Julie Adrianson Neary
as Riv Ticket Taker
Linda Cohn
as ESPN Voiceover
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Critic Reviews for The Break-Up

All Critics (192) | Top Critics (46) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (126)

  • This is that branch of the romantic comedy known as 'a relationship movie', but generally short on witty lines and amusing incidents.

    Jul 22, 2006 | Full Review…

    Philip French

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • Sharp dialogue and detailed observations make it a good deal funnier than you might expect.

    Jul 20, 2006 | Full Review…

    Anna Smith

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Like the story of many broken down relationships: despite the initial attraction, you're left feeling cheated.

    Jul 1, 2006 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Stella Papamichael

    BBC.com
    Top Critic

  • It's not a good sign when a movie is called The Break-Up and you can't wait for the couple to split so they'll get some relief from one another, and give the audience some relief from them.

    Jun 22, 2006

    Joe Morgenstern

    Wall Street Journal
    Top Critic

  • One seemingly terminal problem with the casting of Ms. Aniston and Mr. Vaughn is that neither of their careers has featured characters who excelled at one-to-one relationships with the opposite sex.

    Jun 21, 2006 | Full Review…

    Andrew Sarris

    Observer
    Top Critic

  • Vince Vaughn kills me. Jennifer Aniston, I think, is underrated as a film actress.

    Jun 5, 2006

    Richard Roeper

    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (192)

Audience Reviews for The Break-Up

  • Dec 02, 2011
    This film was awful, one of Jennifer Annistons worst. When a couple can't stand eachother anymore, they break up but both refuse to move out. The plot was very boring, we all know what happens at the end, and it wasn't a fun ride. The cast was horrible, Vince and Jennifer spent just two hours yelling at eachother and I maybe chuckled twice at them. The jokes were completely terrible, because there is none, in fact this is like 40% horrible comedy and 60% crappy drama. Even though I hated this, their scenes where they are fighting are very real situations that couples fight about. This movie was boring, unfunny, and even with a few interesting scenes, I never found this movie any fun and it completely sucked.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
  • Nov 29, 2011
    It didn't deserve such negative reviews, for it is a decent comedy. My favorite scene was between Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau in the bar towards the end.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Sep 24, 2011
    Just a movie about a couple who keeps yelling at each other after break-up. Some might not like this movie as it's nothing new to watch. But it's actually taken from reality and most of the parts are really true. They tried to add a bit of comedy in it but I didn't find any of those scenes to be funny. It's an okay type of movie. But I wouldn't spend money to watch this movie that I can tell.
    Dead A Super Reviewer
  • Aug 16, 2011
    It didn't deserve such negative reviews, for it is a decent comedy. My favorite scene was between Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau in the bar towards the end.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
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