Break Up

Totally worthless film with no story and no good acting at all!

Not much director Paul Marcus could do with an inane story line and some of the worse acting jobs ever in a film. I continue to be amazed and amused at why Bridget Fonda continues to work in films. Is it the Fonda name that keeps her working? In this one she shows the gamut of emotions from 0-1. Deadpan expressions, lack of any acting style, I think she thinks being a deaf mute means a mute performance. Worst acting award continues to go to this no-talent actress. And right beside her is another inept actress, Penelope Ann Miller. Haven't seen her do anything interesting yet on film. Why does she continue to get cast? Kiefer Sutherland, whom I admire, gets nothing worthwhile in this flick. What a waste. He tries. And Steven Weber, whom I admired greatly in JEFFREY, gets dumped on in this one. Another waste of a good talent. However, I did like the work of Hart Bochner, whom I have never seen before. He gives an interesting performance as the abusive murderous husband. And I liked the dog, too!

"The Break Up" is not a thriller or a mystery or an action flick. It's a somewhat disjointed and flawed drama with Fonda at the center delivering a solid performance. There is just enough meat on the bones of this flick to give the viewer something to chew on as long as expectations aren't too high. An okay journeyman flick recommended for Fonda or Sutherland fans.

The plot was really weak and confused. This is a true Oprah flick. (In Oprah's world, all men are evil and all women are victims.)

The basic story was pretty good, the acting, especially in the initial scene that sets the film up was realistic. In fact, Fonda's acting throughout was excellent even though the script made her dumber then a nail. You keep yelling at the screen, "Call the cops! Call the cops!" Of course, she doesn't.

And the self-mutilation scene -- wouldn't this guy be in pain for days if not weeks? Drove me nuts.

Keifer Sutherland often plays a real good bad guy -- but not this time. Now he's a cop who never met a donut he didn't like.

Go ahead and rent this movie. Just keep a can of Spackle handy to plug up the holes in the story -- like who fed Duke the dog?