← Back to results
The Dilemma
2011 111 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★5.1
Comedy, Drama
Director: Ron Howard
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Longtime friends Ronny and Nick are partners in an auto-design firm. They are hard at work on a presentation for a dream project that would really launch their company. Then Ronny spots Nick's wife out with another man, and in the process of investigating the possible affair, he learns that Nick has a few secrets of his own. As the presentation nears, Ronny agonizes over what might happen if the truth gets out.
Budget:
$70M
US Gross:
$48.48M
Worldwide:
$67.11M
Starring
Vince Vaughn
Actor
Kevin James
Actor
Winona Ryder
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
The Dilemma is a polarizing experiment that attempts to blend comedy and drama, often leaving viewers divided over its tonal consistency. While some appreciate its honest exploration of male friendship and marital trust, many others find the narrative stretched and the humor ineffective.
| Originality | The film attempts to bridge comedy and drama, but critics and audiences are split: some find it a refreshingly honest exploration of middle-aged friendship, while others argue the shift in tone creates a disjointed and confusing experience. | |
| Acting | Vince Vaughn's performance is highly contentious, with some finding his portrayal of internal struggle authentic and charming, while others dismiss his performance as irritating and ill-suited for the material. | |
| Acting | Channing Tatum delivers a surprisingly effective performance that defies his typical casting type, becoming a standout element for several viewers. | |
| Screenplay | The script is widely criticized for stretching a thin, unoriginal premise about infidelity into a bloated narrative that feels overextended. | |
| Direction | Ron Howard's direction is viewed as a misstep, with many citing a lack of directorial coherence as he struggles to reconcile his background in serious drama with the film's comedic aspirations. | |
| Humor | The comedic elements fail to resonate with a significant portion of the audience, who describe the jokes as cringeworthy or lacking in genuine humor. | |
| Pacing | The two-hour runtime feels unnecessary to many viewers, who argue that the film becomes monotonous and drags significantly after the first act. |