The Dilemma Review

Vince Vaughn arguably hasn’t had a leading role in a decent film since 2004 with Dodgeball, which seems like an awfully long time ago. And whilst The Dilemma does not really hail a glorious comeback, it is something of an interesting failure.

Ronny and Nick (Vaughn and James) are best friends and business partners on the cusp of sealing a major deal with Dodge automobiles, having successfully pitched their idea for an electric car engine that provides the same revs and rumbles as a gas-guzzler. Things become problematic, however, when Ronny spies Nick’s wife Geneva (Ryder) kissing another man (Tatum). Ronny’s titular dilemma is how and when to tell Nick about Geneva’s infidelity and whether telling him sooner rather than later will compromise Nick’s abilities in the engine room in the crucial week before their big presentation. Ronny’s increasingly secretive nature also jeopardises his own relationship with Beth (Connelly). The action is directed by Ron Howard.

In its original draft, I’m willing to bet that The Dilemma’s script was actually very good – despite the film’s frothy, friendly, advertising campaign, the picture is actually surprisingly dark at times. Ronny’s previous gambling addiction informs much of the action and his friends’ suspicions of him. The effects of infidelity on lovers and friends are also portrayed with something approaching brutal honesty. Unfortunately, the film has rather obviously been rewritten into a rather tamer beast, possibly at the behest of its director or star.

A more mainstream-friendly rewrite is not the film’s only problem. Drastic shifts in tone, an uneven focus on the engine-development subplot, rather outdated usage of the word ‘gay’ and a slow start to the humour don’t help the film. Women are given something of a short shrift in the film. Jennifer Connelly is lumbered with dull role and given little opportunity to shine and Winona Ryder’s ‘bitch’ role seems reductive of the more complex issues hinted at in the script and is also a rather annoying stereotype. Whilst Ryder’s character takes whatever flak is thrown at her, the menfolk are seemingly beyond reproach. There are also several weird flaws in the plot – the strand that discusses Nick’s visitations of massage parlours is never resolved and it seems strange that Ronny wouldn’t tell Beth about Geneva’s unfaithfulness straight away, rather than risking their relationship. There’s also a needless layer of extra jeopardy added between Geneva and Ronny that serves very little to the plot.

There are other flaws too, but to list too many would distract from the film’s strong points. The cast give generally decent performances and Vaughn in particular redeems himself somewhat for the recent tripe he has put his name to with a good comic performance (his toast at Beth’s parents’ anniversary party being an obvious highlight). Channing Tatum is also surprisingly funny as Geneva’s younger lover and Queen Latifah also raises a smile in a minor role. The charm of the cast, some genuine, if infrequent moments of humour and the central conundrum of the plot saveThe Dilemma from being a total car crash. Whilst it is perhaps too problematic to justify parting with ten pounds at the cinema, it may enjoy more interest on DVD. And even if you don’t like Vince Vaughn, you can console yourself with the frankly astonishing frequency with which he gets smacked in the face in the film.