The Break-Up (PG-13, 2006)

common sense media says

Mean-spirited comedy pushes edge for teens.

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know the movie is premised on ugly, angry fighting between exes still sharing a condo, with several scenes that show real pain. Brooke has her pubic area waxed and parades the result in front of her ex (you see her naked back and legs; other body parts are obscured by objects in frame); in turn, Gary hires strippers for a poker game. Characters call each other names and cruelly make fun of each other and their families (this encompasses jokes about homosexuality, promiscuity, and violence/murder). It also features frequent uses of profanity (including at least one f-word).

Positive messages: After the break-up, exes use cruel tactics to "get even," including visible dates to inspire jealousy, mishandling of property, and nasty accusations during arguments.

Violence: Gary plays violent video games; his friend makes jokes about hiring hitmen. Brooke's brother beats up Gary.

Sex: Many sexual references (especially by Gary, who describes sexual activity and body parts, such as "d--k"); men and women play strip poker (women get down to underwear); Brooke has her pubic area waxed (this scene shows her grimace and exclamation), then walks naked through apartment (you see her upper body and legs, her breasts and crotch blocked by objects in frame); Mary hires a male model whose naked back and butt is visible as she paints.

Language: Pushing the edge for PG-13: Language includes one f-word, plus frequent uses (10-15 or more) of "s--t" and other profanity.

Consumerism: Visible junk food and beer brands (Lays and other chips, Budweiser, fast food wrappers).

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Cigar-smoking and drinking (beer, liquor, wine).

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the difficulties of breaking up, whether with friends or romantic partners. How can you manage this without being mean to your ex? What kinds of bad advice do both Brooke and Gary get from their friends, and how might they behave in more mature, self-respecting ways?

What's the story?

The film, as the title suggests, showcases the break-up of art gallery manager Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) Chicago tour bus guide Gary (Vince Vaughn), which is complicated by the fact that they own a gorgeous condo together. Neither will leave the space, and so they vie for dominance, each hitting at the other's weak points (her flamboyantly gay-seeming brother [John Michael Higgins], his inability to communicate) in order to inflict punishment. The central conflict is wholly familiar: She comes from moderate money and prefers to keep her home perfectly appointed; he's working class, in business with his tousled brothers (Vincent D'Onofrio and Cole Hauser), and prefers playing violent video games to attending to his girlfriend's emotional needs.

Is it any good?

Teens love Vince Vaughn from Wedding Crashers, but that movie was rated R. This one is close without being nearly as funny. Careening from too-cute to mean-spirited, THE BREAK-UP recycles romantic comedy clichés without energy or inspiration.

While Gary reels off Vaughn's patented patter -- fast, aggressive, arrogant as a means to "hide" insecurity -- Brooke frequently looks sad and defeated. The couple seems so obviously mismatched that you can't help but wonder what they liked about each other to begin with. And the onslaught of insults and bad behaviors is so intense, that by the time it's over, you're just hoping it really is over.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Peyton Reed
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Joey Lauren Adams, Vince Vaughn
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 106 minutes
Theatrical release: June 2, 2006
DVD release: October 17, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: for sexual content, some nudity and language.

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This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

kristen p.
adult

I watched this movie with my tween daughter, and enjoyed it. I thought the acting was well-done and the plot was a little cliche, but funny. Overall it was a fun movie, great to watch with younger teens. It wasn't innapropriate, minimal swearing, and though there was some talk of sex, my daughter is mature and she could handle it. I talked to her about it after and she took it well.

What other families should know

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The Break-Up (PG-13, 2006)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on The Break-Up

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

Watch our review

Review It

Review The Break-Up

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Skip it

kind of funny

Good Movie!!!

I once broke up with a girl named J. F.

O.K. Movie

WORST movie EVER!

better than i thought

Hilarious but rating should be a "R"

ending was so bad but it was a good movie

It was a great laugh,great actors

i loved this movie

Only funny if you like watching uncouth morons

bleh

I hated this!

A funny but true look into everyday relationships

....sigh....

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