At the outset this movie appears to be fairly standard rom-com fare: Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) is at a 'ball game' where Gary Grobowski tries to woo her away from her preppy boyfriend in familiar Vince Vaughn style. What follows, however, is more interesting than one expects. The opening credits are beamed up over a series of photos which show how the couple got together, had fun and fixed up a pad together. That conveyed, the canny moviegoer knows, the only way is down.

Vaughn has co-written himself as a charming pig. He is the star guide of Three Brothers Tours, a sightseeing bus company which has visions of commanding Chigago tourism 'by air, sea and sky'. Brooke is an (unusually airbrushed) arty type who has had enough of the living habits of the man she fell in love with. Après-break-up, the two endeavour to outdo each other in their displays of nonchalance and with tactics designed to expose each other's true feelings.

Vaughn and Aniston's alleged method acting serves them well. There are also excellent performances from Judy Davis, who plays art matriarch and Brooke's boss at the Marylin Dean Gallery. When Brook admits she wants Gary back, Marylin breaks it down: 'This is not surrealism or cubism, this is paint-by-numbers' she states, before giving her some very practical instructions. Vincent D'Onofrio is also endearing as Gary's older brother, the undervalued accountant at Three Brothers Tours.

The trailer might reduce this film to a tussle over an apartment, but it is really a wider look at a break-up. That said, a lot of claustrophobic action takes place in their sitting room. The Break-Up aspires be both authentic and a good romantic comedy. It is an enjoyable attempt, but it doesn't hit either mark.

Eve Rowan

Rated 12A (see IFCO website for details)
The Break-Up is released on 21st July 2006
The Break-Up – Official website