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Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Jennifer Connelly, Christina Anthony, Winona Ryder ... see more see more... , Channing Tatum , Queen Latifah , Amy Morton , Chelcie Ross , Eduardo N. Martinez , Rance Howard , Clint Howard , Guy Van Swearingen , Troy West , Laura Whyte , Grace Rex , Mike McNamara , Rebecca Spence , Tim Edward Rhoze , Madison Dirks , Mimi Sagadin , Michael Patrick Thornton , Sandy Marshall , Talulah Riley , William Smillie , Jillian Burfete , Katie Korby , Catherine Bruzzini , Laura Cooper , Mariko Hayashi-Hall , Cheryl Hamada , Gary Houston , Wendy George , Keith Kupferer , Kevin Bigley , Philip Rayburn Smith , Nick Brade , Elaine Robinson , Noah Jerome Schwartz , Michael Trnka , Chante Linwood , Kielor Roberts , Benjamin Toby Mullinkosson , Karen Aldridge , Gene Honda , Heidi Johanningmeier , Brennan Buhl , William M. Connor , Christopher Meister , Charlie Hilbrant

Vince Vaughn and Kevin James headline an all-star comedy from director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer about a man who finds out that what you don't say to a friend is just as important as what y... read more read more...ou do. Jennifer Connelly, Winona Ryder, Channing Tatum and Queen Latifah join them in The Dilemma, a story of how far you can bend a brotherly bond before it snaps. Since college, confirmed bachelor Ronny (Vaughn) and happily married Nick (James) have been through thick and thin. Now partners in an auto design firm, the two pals are vying to land a dream project that would launch their company. With Ronny's girlfriend, Beth (Connelly), and Nick's wife, Geneva (Ryder), by their sides, they're unbeatable. But Ronny's world is turned upside down when he inadvertently sees Geneva out with another man and makes it his mission to get answers. As the amateur investigation dissolves his world into comic mayhem, he learns that Nick has a few secrets of his own. Now, with the clock ticking and pressure mounting on the biggest presentation of their careers, Ronny must decide how and when he will reveal the truth to his best friend. -- (C) Universal

Flixster Users

31% liked it

51,374 ratings

Critics

24% liked it

156 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Ron Howard

Release Date: January 14, 2011

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DVD Release Date: May 3, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (3,404)

  • 76Majikat
    January 20, 2012
    76Majikat
    The Dilemma has some really funny moments, the two main characters worked well together and it's easy watching, it did however, have a weak plot and seemed not to reach it's potential.
  • blkbomb
    November 28, 2011
    blkbomb
    Ronny Valentine: I just saw my best friend's wife with another man. I'll send you a check. 

    "The truth hurts."

    The Dilemma is a movie that relies on the audience liking the two leads, Vince Vaughn and Kevin James, and I do. In fact I like pretty much everybody involved here, es... read morepecially Jennifer Connely. Sure the movie has its exceptions; Queen Latifa and Channing Tatum, but for the most part everybody is easy to like. The story isn't great, the movie isn't great, it isn't the funniest thing ever, but it isn't a completely worthless or horrible movie. In fact, I can go as far as to say I liked it.

    Two friends and business partners are close to making the deal of their lives and they are both stressing out about it. Nick is the brains of the operation and is married to Geneva(Winona Ryder). Ronny is the talker of the partnership and is thinking about marrying his girlfriend. When he goes to a botanical garden to scout out a place to propose, he sees his best friends wife with another guy. From there he must decide how to handle the situation. Should he just come out and tell his best friend his wife is cheating on him while they are on the verge of a massive deal? Should he wait?

    This movie isn't the greatest thing Ron Howard has ever done, but it isn't even close to the worst he has ever done either. The Da Vinci Code anyone? It isn't a landmark movie for anyone involved, but it is a fun little comedy. I think the film is a little over criticized. I know people have been disappointed with what Howard has been doing lately and I know there are a lot of people who don't like Kevin James movies. But come on, honestly this isn't horrible.

    This isn't even close to one of the worst movies of the year, which I had heard from some people. It's just a nice, pleasant way to kill a couple hours. That is, once again, if you like the leads. 
  • emilebond007
    November 4, 2011
    emilebond007
    I enjoyed it quite a lot and the fact that the different tones of the film make it a bit uneven didn't stop me to appreciate it. It felt honnest to me and the cast did great. It had some moments that were quite funny, too.
  • DreamExtractor
    September 7, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    The Dilemma is one of the worst films ever, and one of the worst comedies ever, this film was not funny at all, it sucked. Ronny Valentine (Vince Vaughn) sees his best friends wife kissing another man, and he doesnt know how to tell him because it would ruin a big business deal.... read more The plot is so boring and simple its not even funny, LITERALLY. In fact, this movie was a little sad, and thats not what I paid for. Acting was terrible and the only good thing in this movie was probabaly Channing Tatums performance. Do not buy this movie, rent it, download it, get it on f#cking Netflix, none of these are worth seeing this crappy films.
  • romy861
    July 23, 2011
    romy861
    You would think from looking at the cover, and the cast, including Queen Latifah (who, by way, is barely in it), that this is a comedy. You would wrong.
    This is a long, dull, drama, with a few token laughs thrown in. I think I rated it even harsher than usual, because it does ... read morehave a decent cast, and you would think they could all do better.
    Plot is pretty much, guy sees his best friend's wife kissing another guy, and then instead of doing the reasonable thing and telling him what he saw, he starts snooping around, and the whole thing is just long, boring, tedious. Not good.
  • solesoulsorrow
    July 16, 2011
    solesoulsorrow
    Neither good nor bad. This is the Charlie Brown of movies, its so wishy-washy. Channing Tatum had an interesting character, but the rest of the film was not really memorable, in fact after Im done writing this review Ill forget all about this film; I hope I don't re-watch it by m... read moreistake!
  • itsjustme2004
    July 4, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    They should have billed this as a drama, not a comedy. There is more darkness than light. It is not a silly slapstick comedy like they tried to portray in the trailers. It is well written, well directed and well acted by all involved... but comedy? No. Looking at this as a drama,... read more though...I liked it. I am in the Chicago area, so that probably helped.
  • MovieGeek13
    June 29, 2011
    MovieGeek13
    There is something seriously wrong with a comedy when the film hasn't been able to muster a laugh out of you in the first fifteen minutes. That The Dilemma goes from being unfunny to simply intolerable by that time is quite a new feat for a bad movie.
    Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Q... read moreueen Latifah, and Channing Tatum run around the film's bloated 112 minutes as one joke characters. Whenever they're onscreen, they try so hard to be funny that it becomes blatantly obvious. Jennifer Connelly is such a good actress, but here her talents are wasted. She's the only one you care about and she barely has any presence.
    Another thing: the premise. Vaughn and James are best friends. Vaughn catches his best friend's wife having an affair with another man. This causes him much confusion, stress, and inner turmoil. Should he tell his friend? The answer is simple. Yes, he should. The story tries to over-complicate the matter by adding in that the friends are days away from launching a much desired product, and that Vaughn had slept with James' wife way before James even knew she existed, but the whole scenario is not set up as much of a dilemma.
    The end result is a one joke movie where the joke wasn't that funny to begin with. Dump this one as quickly as you would a cheating spouse.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    Overall; not really that funny. Was quite dissapointed and the plot of the film wasn't really that good. Channing Tatum and his spectacular body was the only thing that made this film worth watching.
  • wildaly14
    June 21, 2011
    wildaly14
    Kinda funny but not that great of a movie.

View All The Dilemma Reviews

Critic Reviews

David Denby
January 24, 2011
David Denby, New Yorker

Who ever thought that Ron Howard could make a cult film? This movie is a mess, but it's an intelligent and affecting mess. Full Review

David Edelstein
January 18, 2011
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Perhaps the late Blake Edwards could have found a balance between slapstick and psychodrama, but Ron Howard can't get the pacing right, and Allan Loeb's script is even wordier than the one he wrote fo... Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
January 15, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

The filmmakers just don't know what to do about the ladies. Full Review

Rick Groen
January 14, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Bromances being what they are, Vince's sharp pang of disappointment might have been worth pursuing but, Ron Howard being who he is, not a chance. Full Review

Adam Graham
January 14, 2011
Adam Graham, Detroit News

Let's have a toast for Vince Vaughn, shall we? Full Review

Amy Biancolli
January 14, 2011
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

Can we ever truly know someone? Can we even answer the question? Probably not, but The Dilemma gets credit for trying. Full Review

Gary Dowell
January 14, 2011
Gary Dowell, Dallas Morning News

Torn between establishing itself as a bromantic comedy or a relationship potboiler, the movie meets the requirements of neither. It is unsatisfying in general.

Peter Rainer
January 14, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

The script by Allan Loeb careens all over the place without ever coming to rest on anything interesting. Full Review

Laremy Legel
January 14, 2011
Laremy Legel, Film.com

A very poor effort from a talented group of people, this is a terrible movie wrapped in a glossy package. Full Review

Peter Travers
January 14, 2011
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The January movie burial ground claims another victim. RIP. Full Review

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    • Herbert Trimpy: Those plants are poisonous!
    • Ronny Valentine: Nick, great moments come from great opportunities. And that's what you've earned here today. It's what you've earned here today
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