Watch The Ex

The Ex is a quirky romantic comedy from 2006 that centers around Tom (Zach Braff), who has recently been let go from his job at an advertising agency, and his wife Sofia (Amanda Peet), who is pregnant with their first child. The couple decides to move from New York to Ohio where they hope to start anew, and Tom takes up a job with his father-in-law's firm.

As Tom settles into his new life, he finds himself constantly feeling inadequate and overshadowed by his wife's successful career and her family's expectations. Things take a comedic turn when Tom's former college classmate Chip Sanders (Jason Bateman) arrives on the scene, newly wheelchair-bound after a freak accident.

Despite some initial awkwardness, Tom and Chip quickly rekindle their friendship, and Chip is soon hired at the same firm as Tom. However, it becomes increasingly clear that Chip is not the easygoing, laid-back guy he appears to be. In fact, he is highly manipulative, and his schemes to get ahead in the company become more and more outrageous.

As Tom tries to navigate his own insecurities and the growing tension between him and Chip, he begins to realize that he will need to stand up for himself and fight for what he wants if he is going to make a success of his new life. Along the way, he gets some help and advice from his eccentric father-in-law, played by legendary actor Charles Grodin, who provides some of the movie's funniest moments.

One of the things that sets The Ex apart from other romantic comedies is the way that it explores themes of jealousy, rivalry, and the pressure to succeed in a world that often seems stacked against you. At the same time, it manages to be light and frothy, with a good blend of broad physical comedy and witty banter between the characters.

Throughout the movie, Braff's performance as Tom is both hilarious and relatable. He captures the character's neuroses and insecurities perfectly, and his interactions with Peet and Bateman are all spot-on. Peet is also great as Sofia, playing a character who is both strong and vulnerable as she tries to balance her career and her family life.

Bateman, who has since become known for his roles in more dramatic projects like Ozark, is pitch-perfect as the slippery, scheming Chip. His understated delivery and deadpan expressions make him a compelling and entertaining antagonist, even as his actions become increasingly outrageous.

Overall, The Ex is a fun and entertaining movie with enough heart and substance to elevate it above your typical romantic comedy fare. It's a great showcase for its talented cast, and it will leave you laughing and feeling good by the time the credits roll.

The Ex is a 2007 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 32.