Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Break Up is a movie about spousal abuse, a very serious topic, indeed.  While I'm all for movies getting the message out there, that abuse is NEVER acceptable, and that victims can find help, and get out of the situation, this movie doesn't deliver the message the right way. 

Bridget Fonda plays Jimmy, a woman suffering from horrible abuse at the hands of her husband.  Played by Hart Bochner, Frankie is as evil as they come, a man with absolutely no conscience, not one ounce of remorse for the way he treats Jimmy.  In fact, Jimmy's been deaf for the past year, after a particularly nasty beating from Frankie.  At least Jimmy is doing something to help herself - she's squirreling away as much money as she can, so that she can make a break for it someday.  Hopefully someday soon, before he kills her. 

But things get out of control before Jimmy can escape.  A nasty push down a staircase leaves her broken, with a bit of memory loss.  And Frankie's nowhere to be seen.  When a burned body is found in Frankie's car, the police suspect foul play, with Jimmy as their number one suspect.  Jimmy can't remember a thing that happened after her fall, but she's pretty sure she didn't kill Frankie.  In fact, she's pretty sure he's still alive, and coming after her.

The rest of the movie goes along fairly predictably.  Jimmy's on the hook for her husband's murder, yet we all know that she's innocent, and that her life's in danger.  One cop named John (Kiefer Sutherland) believes her, yet his partner Andrew (Steven Weber) is convinced she's guilty.  In fact, he just wants the whole matter closed, so he can go home.  Jimmy has no idea who she can trust, and decides running is a better solution for her than sticking around, and hoping the police can solve the case in her favor.

So what makes this movie so bad?

The script.  It was laughably bad at some points.  There's one scene where three police officers can't find Jimmy when she's hiding in a bathroom.  That's right.  Three supposedly intelligent officers of the law can't find a grown woman in a bathroom.  I guess they just didn't think to look behind the door.  Another time, John is leading her by the arm through a lobby.  Wouldn't you think that a man of Kiefer's size and strength could hold onto a woman Fonda's size, for more than a minute before she breaks free?  But, no, in this case, Kiefer's no Jack Bauer.  Between him and Steven Webber, it was like watching the Keystone Cops.

Then there's a scene with Jimmy's mother, that makes absolutely no sense at all.  Her mother is, basically, defending Frankie.  When Jimmy tearfully explains that he's trying to kill her, her mother says something to the effect of "well, that's none of my business".  Nothing is written to explain why the mother feels this way.

There's a sister that makes no sense, either.  On the one hand, she seems like she cares about Jimmy and might try to help her.  On the other hand... well... I don't want to spoil it.  Let's just say, the sister's not very bright, and doesn't seem to have Jimmy's best interests at heart after all.  Again, no explanation is given for this behavior on the sister's part.

There are plot holes big enough to drive a car through, including a dead body that absolutely nobody seems to remember about, or care about.  Even at the end, when everything is sown up with a ribbon, it seems that no one remembered about this dead person.

The only good thing I can say about this movie, is that Fonda and Bochner give some very good performances.  Despite the horrible material Fonda's given, she made me believe in her portrayal, and feel for her.  And Bochner did a spectacular job bringing an evil wife-abuser to life. 

Kiefer was OK in this role, I guess.  His part is so small, there was nothing that really lets him shine.  Webber was horrible.  Normally I like him, but in this case, they tried to make him be uncaring and unfeeling, but he just came off looking dopey.  Chewing gum constantly, sporting a huge mustache, he just looked ridiculous. I actually felt embarrassed for him, playing this role as he did.

Spousal abuse is a serious subject, one that should never be taken lightly.  But this terrible movie isn't the way to get that message out there.

Recommended: No

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age