The Ex

The Ex, staring Zach Braff and Amanda Peet is this spring's mediocre romantic comedy. Jesse Peretz makes quick work of same old same old with a hint of the unnecessary.

When married couple Tom Reilly (Braff) and Sofia Kowalski (Peet) decide they need a fresh start, they move from New York to the Midwest. Tom takes a job at Sofia's father's advertising company and Sofia decides to leave her law practice to be a stay at home mom. When Tom gets to work on the first day he learns that one of his co-workers had a brief relationship with his wife and his father-in-law loves him like a son. Chip Sanders (Jason Bateman) uses his wheelchair-bound status as a weapon to undermine Tom and attempts to ruin him personally and professionally.

The role of Tom Reilly fits Zach Braff well. The uncomfortable, unstable, unsteady Tom doesn't seem like much of a leap for Braff. I wonder if Braff was actually playing himself. Still, his portrayal of a dad and husband trying to do the right thing for his wife and daughter, even at the cost of his own sanity is very touching at times and almost funny at others. There is a scene in a kitchen at the beginning of the movie that is very funny, savor it, they are few and far between. I do feel like there is too much Braff and not enough Tom in this role.

I liked Jason Bateman as prick-ola Chip Sanders. His character is extremely cutting. Everything he says can be taken three ways but he really only means them the worst way. Bateman's control is outstanding. If Chip's demeanor cracked even once, it would be devastating to the movie and to the character. He should have his own spin off movie.

Sofia's dad, Bob Kowalski, is one of those characters who seems so happy he just might be suicidal. He hates his job but it is such a part of his identity that he doesn't want to leave it. I adored Charles Grodin as this fake-it-till-you-make-it ad executive. His performance is charming and a little strange (but in a good way.)