Watch Breaking Upwards

Breaking Upwards is a charming romantic comedy-drama from 2009 that explores the dynamics of a couple, Daryl and Zoe, who are considering taking a break from their four-year relationship. The movie is directed by Daryl Wein, who also plays the lead male character, and written by him and Zoe Lister-Jones, who plays the female lead. The movie begins by showing Daryl and Zoe in their mid-twenties, living together in New York City, and going through a rough patch in their relationship. They have been together for four years, but the spark seems to have gone out, and they are feeling stuck and unfulfilled. To break the monotony and inject some excitement into their lives, they come up with a radical plan - to break up, but only for certain days of the week. They agree to see each other only three days a week, giving each other space and time to pursue their individual interests and passions.

As they embark on this plan, they face a host of challenges, including jealousy, confusion, and doubting if their relationship will survive. Along the way, they both start seeing other people, which leads to further complications and exposes the fault lines in their relationship. Daryl gets involved with a younger girl while Zoe starts seeing a man who is her polar opposite.

Throughout the movie, we see Daryl and Zoe struggling to reconcile their love for each other with their desire for independence and self-discovery. They question whether their relationship is worth saving, or if they should just cut their losses and move on. Their friends and family members, who are mostly played by the excellent supporting cast, add to the mix of conflicting advice and opinions.

The movie is shot in an intimate and raw style that puts the viewer right in the middle of the action. The tight close-ups and handheld camera work make the film feel like a documentary at times, which adds to the sense of authenticity and realism. The directorial choices are cleverly fashioned to let viewers see both sides of the characters, each with their good and bad aspects.

One of the movie's strengths lies in its ability to offer brutal honesty about the difficult and messy aspects of relationships, especially in the context of modern urban living. The film accurately captures the struggles of young millennials trying to find their footing in a fast-paced, competitive city like New York while also trying to navigate the complicated terrain of dating and romance.

Breaking Upwards is ultimately a movie about the complexities of love and the importance of growth in relationships. It highlights how difficult it can be to stay true to oneself while also being part of a couple. It is a film that will make you laugh, cry and cheer as Daryl and Zoe go on a transformative journey that is both personal and universal.

In conclusion, Breaking Upwards is an emotionally engaging and subtle film that posits a new way of looking at relationships. Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones create a realistic portrayal of a couple struggling to find love, separate themselves from each other and still hold on to the good that they had together. The film is filled with witty dialogue, great acting, and a heartening conclusion that provides comfort to those struggling to find their path in love and life. Breaking Upwards is a true gem of a movie that is not to be missed.

Breaking Upwards is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 56.