The latest comedy to explore the ethics of male friendships, The Dilemma relies on the enthusiastic performances of its unique cast to see it through.    

The Dilemma is director Ron Howard’s first foray into comedy since 1999’s EdTV, and it’s easy to see why. Despite starting out as a comedy director, his bread and butter is in drama, with modern classics such as Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind amongst his achievements.

Howard’s return to the genre which he began with is not a triumphant one, yet it’s not a bust either. This is due to the work of The Dilemma’s cast, a mish-mash of comedy and drama stalwarts who combine to make an often interesting dynamic.  

If The Dilemma’s origins were purely dramatic, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Scripted by Allan Loeb (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Things We Lost In The Fire), many of its dramatic elements work better than its comedic, not something that will bode well for those who want their “com” to go with their “rom”, yet plenty of surprise for those who expected something much different.

It doesn’t begin on a promising note, with a dinner table conversation between two best friend couples -one played by Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Connolly, the other Kevin James and Winona Ryder – featuring the type of cringe worthy dialogue which can only be found in its sub-genre, with an embarrassing shindig between Vaughn and James upping its tacky flavour.

They play best buds Ronny and Nick, car engineers who have scored a massive business pitch thanks to an innovative idea (not worth getting into). With the pressure high and deadline looming, a spanner is thrown into the works when Ronny finds Nick’s wife (Ryder) cheating with young man meat Zip (Channing Tatum).

Thus comes “the dilemma”: should Ronny tell his friend about his wife’s adultery and risk railroading their big pitch? Or does he go it alone and try to rectify the situation? For those who guessed the latter, give yourself a pat on the back.   

Despite its potential for risqué material, Howard doesn’t push The Dilemma that far off the safe route in this morally infused story of secrets, lies, and friendship (hardly worth the overreaction in its use of the word “gay” which caused controversy a few months prior).

Often Howard squanders opportunities, the use of Tatum especially falling flat (where’s Mark Wahlberg when you need him?)  

Yet in his casting of Vince Vaughn, a spark is found to keep the momentum strong, Vaughn comfortably taking control of the film and delivering with his stream of conscience rambling stylings, including a patented speech which is both hilarious and cringe worthy.

Other cast members also contribute. It is great to see Winona Ryder in a big film playing a juicy role, and Kevin James proves to be a good running mate to Vaughn.

In fact, it is the relationship between these two blokes which gives The Dilemma its heart, which it is not short of. All that is needed were some more genuine laughs to match its drama.