Monday June 5, 2006 arts.michigandaily.com artspage@michigandaily.com ARle TSigan t 9 TOUGH 'BREAK' MARQUEE STARS CAN'T SAVE MUNDANE ROMANTIC COMEDY By Imran Syed Daily Arts Writer Americans have developed a reputation for being impersonal. Whereas in Europe or Asia the act of stopping a native to ask for directions The Break-Up might result At the Showcase in a friend- and Quality 16 ly chat, in Universal America, all too often, the result is little more than a sus- picious glare. And not just with strangers do Americans refuse to connect, the reputation goes, but with those they're close too as well - and nowhere is this more apparent than in the failure to vibe truly in spousal relation- ships. Though it may be an unfair accusation, the reputation exists, and who better to challenge or at least muse upon it than American cinema? It would seem that such mus- ing is the purpose of "The Break- Up," the onscreen lovechild of Vince Vaughn ("Wedding Crash- ers") and Jennifer Aniston (TV's "Friends"). It features two strong, independent people - Gary and Brooke - in a relationship that's at a linchpin: They've been together for a while, it's been fun, but now what? Gary believes he does enough at work and should be able to relax after coming home. Brooke disagrees, pointing out that she works just as hard at her job but then comes home to cook, clean and entertain guests. Brooke wants Gary to do more around the house - she wants him to want to do more - but he thinks that's insane, and soon their love is no more. You'd think the end of a rela- tionship would weigh on their minds, but Brooke and Gary - and the film itself - see the relationship as trivial. The real question for all three is, who gets to keep the condo they share and who must move out? The resulting happenstances are many and mun- "I wonder If she'll still let me touch her funny." dane. Even with a Jason Bateman cut directly out of his star role in once-eager audience. There isn't a Hollywood fare (think "When TV's "Arrested Development," joke you don't see coming from a Harry Met Sally" or "You've Got none of it works. And though the mile away, much less laugh at, nor Mail") focuses on the upside of end is mildly inventive and oddly is it possible to connect with each the quirky, risk-taking male and satisfying, it can't nearly cover for character's personal struggles. sweet nothings exchanged even as the disaster it took to get there. You can't laugh at them, you can't the world seems sure to swallow Because the film is co-written feel for them. In a film that wants up the hapless lovers, "The Break- by Vaughn, you'd think, if noth- to sound familiar to the audience, Up" focuses on the superficiality ing else, that at least he would fit what more is there? and inevitable banality of such a well into his character. He doesn't, To say "The Break-Up" is romance. and neither does Aniston. Both either a romance or comedy, The film does well in pointing scream, whine and fire off cliched then, is misleading. The film out the peculiar superficialities punchlines, yet gain nothing but is anti-romance in every sense. in the average romantic relation- blank, confused stares from the Whereas the usual sentimental ship, but it deserves no credit because its moment is short lived. It challenges and ridicules the very underpinnings of Hollywood romances and our flawed societal understanding of love, but then suddenly goes on to embellish and feed off of those very things. The irony is neither comforting nor is it rewarding - it only reflects poorly on the script, the cast and the director. The result is a half- baked attempt at satire that is nei- ther insightful nor entertaining, but simply broken. A few easy solutions to Ann Arbor's summer lull By Andrew Klein Managing Arts Editor It's spring, almost summer, and you're bored. Nobody is around anymore, so the remaining few cram into yuppie Kerrytown bars with the hope of creating timeless memories or getting laid (or a combination of the two). Ladies and gentlemen, this is your hang- over speaking. There is another way, another path to summer splendor. The great culture machine that calls itself Ann Arbor doesn't sleep when the weather gets warm. But it is, perhaps, a little more subdued. If you ever heard of the Michigan Union poetry slams during the school year, but won- dered where it all went, then head over to The Heidelburg this Tuesday for the Ann Arbor Poetry Slam, which includes an open mic for all you budding beatniks. It's only $5, and if you still feel the need to imbibe, there are If jazz isn't your thing, then The Beatles He might have looked bored throughout three bars in as many floors at the joint. must be (or you're just crazy). "A Hard Day's "The Da Vinci Code," but Tom Hanks's work Night," originally released in 1964, will take in 1988's "Big" will remind you that the man In that same poetic vein, next Wednesday you through a day in the iconic life of The used to churn out great movies. It goes up at 7 p.m., Shaman Drum will host a Persian Beatles. It'll be at The Michigan Theater on June 19 at Ingalls Mall (in front of Rackham poetry reading provided by David June 11 and 13. Don't wear your Building near Burton Memorial Tower) and and Sabrineh Fideler. The two will Things to do this Stones shirt. is, to put it simply, free. translate and perform traditional summer that Sufi poetry, at times accompanied don't involve The Michigan Theater will for- For you artsy-fartsy types (hey, I'm one of by various musical instruments. the destruction ever lead the charge in keeping old 'em), the University's Museum of Art will host of your central favorites alive and kicking. "Hoop [this Thursday] internationally acclaimed pianist Film - in all its shapes and nervous system. Dreams," Steve James's heavily Louis Nagel who is set to perform pieces by Bach, sizes - is a regular in the heart lauded 1994 documentary follow- Beethoven and Liszt. Completely free, this event and mind of Ann Arbor that isn't ing two inner-city Chicagoans in will be one of the last held in the UMMA before limited to national blockbusters. "Barry Har- pursuit of the NBA dream, goes up June 15 it undergoes its upcoming massive renovation. ris: The Spirit of Bebop" is showing tonight at 7:15 p.m, "Jaws," which needs no words of at 7 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library. If explanation, will be shown on June 18 and 20 There you have it, folks. A digestible sam- you have any notion of the words Dizzy Gil- as an installment of The Michigan Theater's pler of things to do that does not involve lespie, Thelonius Monk or Charlie Parker (or Summer Classic Film Series. Alongside scar- drinking (unless you so desire, you lush). even if you don't), this documentary, lasting ing the shit out of you, it will help us find And of course, there is plenty more where it only 55 minutes, is a not only a must see, but comfort in the fact that we are hundreds of all came from. Take a girl, a guy, take you. it also will cost you nothing. miles away from either ocean. Your liver (and soul) will thank you.