Breaking Up (1997)

A Disappointing Continuation

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

For ninety minutes this film has two characters talk and argue about the troubles that they are having in their relationship and I thought of one thing, if a friend of yours started to complain about their relationship could you listen to them for ninety minutes? Me either, but this film expects you to. Story is about a couple that have been dating for a few years but decide that they should break up and after spending some time apart it doesn't take long before they start calling each other and getting together for great sex. Steve (Russell Crowe) and Monica (Salma Hayek) talk about that they are not together anymore but still hop into bed with one another and then talk and argue until one of them leaves. Later one of them will phone the other up and the whole process starts again with sex, talk, and more arguing.*****SPOILER ALERT*****One day Steve shows up at Monica's work and tells her that they should get married and after mulling about it for a short time she accepts. Steve starts dreaming and when he finally wakes up he is at the altar but he is unable to utter the words "I do" and passes out. Monica has had it with him and leaves him for good and even though he doesn't want her to leave there isn't anything he can say to change her mind.This film is directed by Robert Greenwald who was either handicapped by an extremely thin budget or has no clue how to construct a real film. This was shot in New York City but aside from a taxi with New York printed on the doors you would have been hard pressed to figure out where it's suppose to take place. There isn't one good shot of that beautiful city and instead the films focus remains on the two lead actors and even with their immense talent they just cannot keep the audiences attention on something so trivial and mundane. Glenda Jackson starred in a film called "Stevie" in the 1970's and she had to carry that film herself also and even though I thought she succeeded this is a task that's practically impossible even for the best actors. It all boils down to the material that they are handed and this script is just to dull. Some have said that Crowe and Hayek have no chemistry on screen but I'm not so quick to agree with that because the lines that they are forced to utter is so banal. Greenwald directed this film from the play by Michael Cristofer and I'm not sure what drew his attention to this but the end result is a dull film that is both poorly constructed and repetitious.

The story was not compelling at all. I found myself noticing all of the inconsistencies instead. The one that really bothered me is when Salma Hyak is moving out after the wedding fiasco. I don't know a single person who would pack their stuff without tying their hair. I'm supposed to be sympathising, but instead I find them petty and senseless, and all I notice is her perfectly parted hair while she's packing.If it holds my interest like that, it's can't be good. I would have loved a better accent from Russell Crowe, or no accent at all. That was something that kept grating on me because of points in the film where I totally lost interest.You are never led understand why their motivations really make sense, or why their feelings are so capricious and petty. Ultimately, you end up with two frustrating people in a pointless relationship that is a circle of hope and failure over and over again.The fact that the ending left it open for them to get back together was also disturbing. It shows what vapid morons the characters are if they couldn't realise they were right for each other all along and now have to drag their innocent spouses and offspring into divorces. I can't root for people who keep doing the wrong thing, hurting each other, then possibly hurting innocent people who trusted them.In fact, they're to awful, perhaps they do deserve each other before they ruin their families any more than they would. I wanted to identify with this movie, but I just couldn't because I am not a clod.

This is not a mainstream movie. This is the film of a play. And its excellent. I rented it because of the cast. I couldn't turn it off because of their truly awesome performances.Monica is in love with Steve. Steve is in love with Monica. The only problem is, they don't know why. They don't know what questions to ask, of themselves or each other. They struggle with expressing what they believe is honesty. They wound one another raging against unmet expectations they've never admitted, thinking that such admissions would be contrary to their love. They're both too young to handle the intensity of their emotions, to understand what's happening.This film is billed as a comedy. As a comedy, it fails miserably. Watch it instead as a tragedy, and you'll fall in love with it.

(some spoilers) Boy and girl together. Girl leaves boy. Girl comes back. Girl and boy make love. Girl breaks up with boy. Boy begs girl to come back. Girl comes back. Boy and girl make love. Boy breaks up with girl. Girl begs boy to come back. Boy comes back. Boy and girl make love. Girl breaks up with boy. Boy asks girl to marry him. Girl accepts. (!!??!!) Boy and girl in front of the minister. Boy faints. Girl breaks up with boy. Forever.This is BREAKING UP. Good points: for the actors, Salma Hayek and Russel Crowe - very convincing in difficult roles. And also the idea of making a movie only with 2 actors. Bad points: the rest. Especially the story, most of the times pathetic and unbelieveble. Vote: 5