THE DILEMMA - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Dilemma

Ron Howard's The Dilemma certainly isn't his best work, but it also isn't as bad as the negative all the negative Publicity surrounding it would have you believe.  We follow Ronny Valentine (Vince Vaughn), a recovering Gambling Addict looking to propose to longtime Girlfriend Beth (Jennifer Connelly).  His Best Friend Nick (Kevin James) and him are partnering on a project to develop a powerful Engine for Chrysler.  The extended hours and unwavering focus at work have left Nick disengaged from his Wife Geneva (Winona Ryder).  After witnessing Geneva having an affair with a hunky younger Man named Zip (Channing Tatum), Ronny finds himself obsessed with the idea of Fidelity, threatening to expose the affair to Nick, to whom he owes his loyalties.  At the same time though, Ronny finds himself withdrawn progressively from his own relationship with Beth.

One cannot take anything away from the Principal Cast of The Dilemma. Vaughn, James, Connelly and Ryder all deliver strong performances, with Vaughn in particular shining brightest, given that his character is has much range to work with as Ronny spirals out of control.  James tackles a role more serious than what we are accustomed to from him, but nonetheless is as likable as ever, even though he never really hits his best stride in matching Vaughn's level of commitment. Ryder at last is given a meaty role to work with after suffering several career setbacks in recent memory.  At one point she manages to convince us that it just might be okay that she is cheating on her Husband.  Yes, she's that good.  

WHAT'S WRONG WITH VIRGINIA REVIEW

Dustin Lance Black

Something's definitely wrong with Virginia.  Milk Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black makes his Directorial debut in What's Wrong With Virginia and I'm going to be as easy on it as I can after seeing a screening of it earlier today at TIFF.

The film revolves around a mentally unstable woman named Virginia (Jennifer Connelly) involved with a married man many years her senior, Dick (Ed Harris).  Dick has political aspirations as the town's Sherriff, but after Virginia manages to convince him that she is pregnant with his baby, he decides to end the affair in fear of derailing his bid.  Meanwhile, Virginia's teenaged son Emmett (Harrison Gilbertson) resents Dick but also at the same time is romantically involved with a girl named Jesse (Emma Roberts) who could well be his biological half-sister, seeing that Virginia devoted herself only to one man for 20 years.

Where What's Wrong with Virginia falls short is a lack of a character development and a clear focus.  I failed to find one character I found engaging, which is odd. Virginia of course is at times comedic in her instability (i.e. running into a bank with a gorilla mask, gun and a dress) and endearing in her fragility, but one finds it difficult to empathize with her as we never get the opportunity to know her or her back story.  The story line of forbidden love involving Emmett and Jesse lacks any heart or tension, as is the case with Dick and Virginia; we never tap into their psyches nor do we understand what draws them to one another.

JENNIFER CONNELLY IN DUSTIN LANCE BLACK'S WHAT'S WRONG WITH VIRGINIA AT TIFF

Jennifer Connelly arrives at Pre-party for new film What's Wrong with Virginia

Is there anything more lovely than Jennifer Connelly?  The brilliant actress arrived at Swarovski at Yonge x Bloor this afternoon to party along with the cast of Milk Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black's directorial debut, What's Wrong with Virginia.  Also in attendance today were the amazing Ed Harris who plays the man whom she has a scandalous longtime affair with in the film, Yeardley Smith (yes, the voice of Lisa on The Simpsons) and newcomer Harrison Gilbertson.  Emma Roberts who also stars in the film, unfortunately did not attend after partaking in TIFF festivities this past weekend.

What's Wrong with Virginia premiered tonight at VISA Screening Room and I will be reviewing the film tomorrow.  On her way out, I managed to nab an autograph from the stunning actress, who was surprisingly generous.

Check out more photos below from the Pre-party and Premiere: