The Dilemma

If I were to tell you that you were going to see a new film starring Vince Vaughn and Kevin James, you'd know precisely what you were in for. You'd most likely anticipate juvenile humour, a sense of stupidity surrounding the film, and the two leads just clowning around until the long-awaited end credits finally arrived. And while "The Dilemma" surprisingly has a more dramatic aspect to it, it's still pretty much exactly what one would expect.

The only thing that challenges this premonition is the man in the director's chair, namely Ron Howard. This is the Oscar-winning filmmaker who brought us "Frost/Nixon" and "A Beautiful Mind," the latter of which won Best Picture at the 74th Academy Awards. "The Dilemma" is certainly a change of pace for him, and not the kind of thing he should be encouraged to do again. Ever.

Vaughn ("Couples Retreat") and James ("Paul Blart: Mall Cop") are Ronny Valentine and Nick Brannen, two partnered employees of a motoring company. Nick is married to Geneva (Winona Ryder, "Black Swan"), while Ronny is preparing to soon propose to girlfriend Beth (Jennifer Connelly, "Hulk").

As he visits a botanical garden to arrange his proposal, a shocked Ronny spots Geneva eagerly sticking her tongue down another man (Channing Tatum, "The Eagle")'s throat. This is where the title derives from -- should Ronny tell his best friend of Geneva's adultery, which would affect their important business, or not tell him, letting Geneva continue with the affair? Quite a dilemma.

The rest of the film consists primarily of Ronny being confused as to what he should do. As he tries to fix the uncomfortable situation he's been forced into, he finds himself repeatedly stumbling into "hysterical" mishaps, going from one awkward calamity to the next, climbing up trees and killing goldfish in the process.

"The Dilemma" is not a far cry from Adam Sandler's increasingly derided brand of comedy. It's very broad in its humour, going for easy gag after easy gag, each of which land flat on their ugly faces. It aspires to be a lighthearted and breezy audience-pleaser, but it simply is not pleasing enough.

Some jokes do work (Vaughn getting his ass whooped by Tatum is a highlight), but these moments of hope are as spread apart as Paris Hilton's legs. As a side note, Tatum is shockingly decent in his supporting role as Ryder's doofus of a boy toy, showing off some nice comic timing in his limited screen-time. The usually wooden "Dear John" actor may have just found himself an appropriate genre to leap into.

Vaughn and James are pretty much just playing themselves here yet again, neither of them the most versatile of actors. Vaughn is, as always, a sarcastic fast-talker, and James is the more laid-back, happy-go-lucky type. While they're both very likable in their bromantic roles, James being especially sympathetic as the husband of an adulterer, their wide experience with comedy can't make "The Dilemma" any funnier.

Ryder and Connelly are fine as the two spouses, though Connelly struggles to get a real character through. Ryder, on the other hand, has much more of a personality, playing a deceitful wife who becomes increasingly detestable and conniving as the film goes on. Practically the cackling villain, she's amusing in the role.

I think what's happened with "The Dilemma" is a conflict of interests between an award-winning auteur and two goofs with their own comical style. Howard is a director mainly of dramas, which really shows in the film because the drama works a lot more than the unsophisticated nincompoopery. This clashing of styles renders the film a bit dim as the comedy fails, while the more emotional aspect ticks away in the film's climax.

I don't hate "The Dilemma," it supplies some light enjoyment here and there, but it plainly is not funny. Vaughn, James, Ryder and Connelly are amiable leads, yet they are unable to squeeze genuine laughs out of the circumstances. It's a shame because there was some promise in the concept. Oh well, I guess it's back to Oscar-winning projects for you, Mr. Howard.

4/10