I am not fond of movies where the trailer promises slapstick comedy between two oversized men (Vinve Vaughn and Kevin James) but delivers a serious package about how to approach secrets, infidelity, and delivering bad news. Fortunately for me, the later is much more appealing to me than the former. But what is up with that? Do they think we won't notice this movie has no more humor than would be expected to be found in everyday life?
In any case, the dilemma of this movie is a true difficulty. Nick (James) and Ronny (Vaughn) have been friends since college--theirs is an 'opposites attract' friendship that they have spun into a business partnership as well. Ronny is the salesman and Nich is the brains. In the midst of a high pressure deal, where they have sold a product they have not yet been able to create and are on a deadline, Ronny sees Nick's wife cheating on him--in broad daylight and with such ease as to make it clear this is not the first time.
What should Ronny do? He doesn't want to throw Nick off his work game, but he is also very uncomfortable with what he knows. So he tells no one, and starts his slow progression towards implosion. He starts slowly, but quickly gathers momentum to the point, where he is on the verge of losing his best friend, his soon-to-be-fiance, and his livlihood. Ok, that's a lot. The thing I liked abou this movie is that it portrayed male friends who are very close, but don't much express emotions in a very emotional situation, where everything that can go wrong does go wrong. A cautionary tale that does have the occasional laugh-out-loud moment but is largely a drama. Nicely done, Ron Howard.
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