Talk Film

'The Dilemma' as a movie, is one big dilemma after another. 

At best, The Dilemma is a mediocre comedy, that you are likely to forget before ejecting the DVD. Despite its inefficiency to work as a movie, it is hard to pin-point exactly where The Dilemma goes wrong. The story line, actors, and script are all okay - nothing standalone screams "fail". The movie just plods along, presenting us with an easy Sunday afternoon watch while we wait for the potatoes to boil.

The premise centres upon two middle aged ordinary guys, who have been best friends since college, Vince Vaughn as Ronny Valentine and Kevin James as Nick Brannen. They are both happily in relationships and have recently started their own automotive design firm. Ronny is the cheeky-charmer who glides business to their firm, and Nick is the brains behind the company. ‘The Dilemma’ arises when Ronny awkwardly stumbles upon Geneva (Winona Ryder) his best friend’s wife, kissing an random stranger (Channing Tatum). He is left with the decision of whether to tell his best friend (and possibly hinder their firms success) or keeping the affair a secret (and face damaging his friendship). As a friend, the answer would be fairly simple… but as the genre is comedy the fairly indubitable decision is throw up into the air, with Ronny instead opting on a journey through dangerous and disastrous times.

Vince Vaughn (who I respect as a valued comedic actor) plays the role well, his script is fairly limited in a comedic sense, which restricts him as a actor. None the less, he does provide a few laughs along the way. Tatum’s role as Zip, the electric tattooed hunk and the target of Genevas affections, is the tie that holds the film together, his role is fairly small, yet provides the majority of the humour. Tatum is convincing as a raving loony and showcases his acting ability to diverge from his usual mans-man role.

The Dilemma - which is - a middle aged woman’s affair, is never explored enough to leave you understanding the whole concept of the film. You don’t know how, or why, Geneva and Zip’s got together, and their obvious differences make you question their relationship, this isn't helped by their lack of charm and chemistry together.  

The Dilemma attempts a few heartfelt moments, yet lacks in believability. Many of these 'serious moments' are either started or followed by attempts of comedy, in which effects the results of both the comedic effect and the emotional aspect. As a whole The Dilemma fails as a ‘Vince Vaughn comedy’, and isn't heartfelt enough to be a drama, instead, it ends up falling somewhere uncomfortably in between both - with neither the comedy or drama succeeding. 

Release Date: UK: 21/01/11

Certificate: 12A

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Winona Ryder

Director: Ron Howard