The Ex (2006)

A slacker is forced to work for his father-in-law after his pregnant wife steps away from her high-paying job.

Director:

Jesse Peretz

Writers:

David Guion, Michael Handelman

Stars:

Zach Braff, Amanda Peet, Charles Grodin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zach Braff	...	Tom Reilly
Amanda Peet	...	Sofia Kowalski
Jason Bateman	...	Chip Sanders
Charles Grodin	...	Bob Kowalski
Mia Farrow	...	Amelia Kowalski
Lucian Maisel	...	Wesley
Donal Logue	...	Don Wollebin
Amy Poehler	...	Carol Lane
Fred Armisen	...	Manny
Bob Stephenson	...	Doug
Yaffit Hallely	...	Woman (as Yafit Hallely)
Josh Charles	...	Forrest Mead
Marin Hinkle	...	Karen
Yul Vazquez	...	Paco
Michael Lawson	...	Busboy

Storyline

In Manhattan, Sofia's an attorney and Tom's a cook who has a hard time holding a job. When their first child is born, they agree that she'll be a full-time mom and he'll get a promotion. When he gets fired, he takes a job in Ohio working at the ad agency where her father is assistant director. Tom's assigned to report to Chip, a competitive, hard-driving guy who's in a wheelchair and who's Sofia's ex-boyfriend - from high school. Chip still carries a torch for her, so he connives to make Tom's work life miserable. As Tom's frustrations mount, it may be that Sofia will take Chip's side. Is Tom doomed to fail yet again?

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Plot Keywords:

slacker as protagonist | wheelchair | father in law | cook | kitchen | 

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Taglines:

Credit-grabbing, back-stabbing, wife-nabbing. Just another day at the office.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Co-stars Zach Braff and Paul Rudd were both born on April 6 (although Rudd is six years older).

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Goofs

Clearly visible out the window of candy & ice cream shop supposedly in Ohio is an awning with a phone number with a 718 area code, which belongs to New York City's outer boroughs.

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Quotes

Bob Kowalski: [burns his hand on lamp] Fuck!
Tom Reilly: Are you okay?
Bob Kowalski: That lamp is hotter than shit!

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Crazy Credits

A series of outtakes and bloopers are played over the end credits.

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Alternate Versions

SPOILER WARNING The version of the film on the Unrated DVD is drastically different than, and is in fact shorter than, the theatrical release. The plot point in which it is revealed that Chip was faking his handicap is never revealed. The following scenes are removed from the film:

• The hospital scene where Oliver is born and named.
• The scene where Tom plays basketball with Chip in a wheelchair.
• The scene between Tom and Chip in the locker room.
• The scene in which Chip reveals he can walk to Tom.
• The scene in which Chip reveals he can walk to Sofia, Wesley and Wesley's father. (This appears as an alternate ending on the DVD)
• The scene in Barcelona where Chip is at the Idea building. However, the Unrated version has several short new scenes including:
• A bizarre dream that Tom has.
• More of Amelia's Spanish speaking.

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Connections

Features Coming Home (1978)

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Soundtracks

The Weinstein Company Fanfare
Written and Performed by Nicole Weinstein
(used during the Weinstein Company logo)

User Reviews

Average.

Just like most people who've written reviews for this film, I too was excited to hear about a film staring two great comedians like Braff and Bateman. How could you go wrong with these two? However, with two inexperienced writers and one inexperienced director; it's not hard to see where this film goes wrong.

The script is at times, very poor and extremely lacking in intelligent or deep humor, the characters are one dimensional and there are a lot of pointless and derivative scenes. There is no real chemistry between Braff and Peet and the soundtrack is somewhat lacking.

It's really awful to see such amazing talents go to waste in such a simple and shallow comedy such as this.

There are however, some great ideas in this film; the only shame is that they are not explored in their comedic entirety. Braff and Bateman are as usual, wonderful and do the best they can with the characters and the script they were given.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

11 May 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Ex

Filming Locations:

Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,394,229, 13 May 2007

Gross USA:

$3,093,394

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,178,640

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Weinstein Company, 2929 Productions, This Is That Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min 93 min (European Film Market) 84 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1