Review: The Dilemma (2011)
Name: The Dilemma (2011)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Director: Ron Howard
Actors: Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Queen Latifah
Rating: 3/5
This is a movie about two best friends, their life partners and their work as automobile engine designers. The designers get an once-in-a-lifetime chance to design a battery operated engine for Chrysler Corp. However, the goings-on with the wife of one of the two designers distract and pre-occupy the other, who begins to spy on her. This spying is amateurish, clumsy and rib-tickling.
The Director has successfully created scenes in the movie where profound words are spoken by the actors like, “Great moments come from great opportunities”. Even so, the entire movie is focused and adheres to the narration of the story and its events. The characters display a lot of zest, but are still quite real.
There are some genuine moments of remarkable hilarity, especially concerning the sister of one of the friends. There are some good deadpan jokes, such as the one where a tube rail commuter says, “that’s too bad”, when she is told by the flustered, spying designer that he is not a pervert; or when a question regarding “deep throat” is popped.
There is a deadline to deliver the new design, a “discussion group”, an “intervention”, a scene of glass breaking and denting of a vintage car and an allusion to a former gambling addiction. The climax builds up very well. The main message is that friendship is the most important thing in a man’s life and some things among friends should not be held back even “for the time being”.
There is also a climactic “go” at a (Chicago Blackhawks sponsored?) contest to “goal” the black puck in a small opening in an Ice Hockey goal, where the winner gets two free tickets to the NHL All Star Game in Carolina.
Vince Vaughn and Kevin James, the two friends, have acted well. Queen Latifah impresses in a brief appearance. This is an engaging story told well, which one will surely like. Go for it!
Follow Technorati