'The Dilemma' falls between two stools

Director: Ron Howard

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Jennifer Connelly, Winona Ryder

Would you tell? That age-old dilemma lies at the shallow heart of this film, a film that can’t decide if it’s a comedy or a dramatic look at relationships. In the end it’s neither.

Ronny (Vaughn) and Nick (James) are business partners on the verge of pulling off a big deal that will set them up for life. But when Ronny sees Nick’s wife Geneva (Ryder) with another man what does he do … keep stum or spill the beans?

We have to live through the dilemma as Ronny wrestles with the choice, a choice upon which the business lives or dies. Alas, in the end we really don’t care since the usually reliable Howard has a dilemma of his own over the direction the plot should take.

Such a solid cast ought to have been given a more thoughtful script to work with … one that works.

Star Rating: 2/5