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Winona Ryder as Geneva and Kevin James as Nick in THE DILEMMA, a film directed by Ron Howard. Picture courtesy Universal Pictures. All rights reserved.

The Dilemma (2011)

Also Known As: Cheaters

Opened: 01/14/2011 Wide

Trailer: Click for trailer

Websites: Home, Facebook

Genre: Comedy

Rated: PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving sexual content.

Synopsis

Vince Vaughn and Kevin James headline an all-star comedy from director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer about a man who finds out that what you don't say to a friend is just as important as what you do. Jennifer Connelly, Winona Ryder, Channing Tatum and Queen Latifah join them in The Dilemma, a story of how far you can bend a brotherly bond before it snaps.

Since college, confirmed bachelor Ronny (Vaughn) and happily married Nick (James) have been through thick and thin. Now partners in an auto design firm, the two pals are vying to land a dream project that would launch their company. With Ronny's girlfriend, Beth (Connelly), and Nick's wife, Geneva (Ryder), by their sides, they're unbeatable.

But Ronny's world is turned upside down when he inadvertently sees Geneva out with another man and makes it his mission to get answers. As the amateur investigation dissolves his world into comic mayhem, he learns that Nick has a few secrets of his own. Now, with the clock ticking and pressure mounting on the biggest presentation of their careers, Ronny must decide how and when he will reveal the truth to his best friend.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines: The Dilemma Begins

Director Ron Howard recalls the night that became the genesis for The Dilemma. "We were at a dinner party in Rome during Angels & Demons, and Brian [Grazer] started talking about these crazy scenarios. One of them was 'What would you do if there was somebody you cared a lot about, say, your best friend, and you spotted his spouse cheating? He said that this idea popped in his head: 'What if I saw Ron's wife kissing a guy somewhere? What would I do, and what would be my process in figuring out when and how to tell him?'"

It not only received a laugh at the dinner table, it also kicked off a lively conversation among the attendees. After the party was over, Grazer told Howard that his simple question was actually an idea he was considering for a movie. Howard advised his longtime friend that this idea was a solid concept, and he should pursue it.

Once they returned stateside, Grazer offered the same query during a meeting with Vince Vaughn. The actor/producer immediately became interested in the premise and put his twist on the water cooler subject. "When I met with Brian, what I connected to was the idea of how you get the information to your friend without destroying him...and in the process losing him as a friend," explains Vaughn. "For me, it wasn't about whether I should I tell him or not. It was about watching someone burdened with the knowledge of what's going on and the struggle to figure out how and when to tell him."

In many of his films, Vaughn has found comedy from the problems inherent in relationships. From Swingers to The Break-Up and Couples Retreat, he's enjoyed exploring the laughs that come from situations in which we've all found ourselves. He says: "It's fun to watch a character go through this because you know he has tell his best friend, but how do you do that? It's easier said than done, and the dilemma becomes how does one friend navigate it and cause the least amount of damage possible?"

Though Grazer hadn't worked with Vaughn previously, he'd long admired the actor's ability to introduce audiences to tough, relatable subjects through his signature humor. "Vince has this everyman quality that women love and guys aspire to," says Grazer. "Whether one of his characters is telling you he's considering breaking up with his longtime girlfriend or he's struggling to balance being a dad and a husband, he allows us to explore the rough patches in our lives in funny ways. Through Vince, we see a heightened comic reality of our own lives. I've met very few actors who have that ability."

With Grazer and Vaughn fleshing out ideas for the story, Allan Loeb was brought on board to write the script for what would become The Dilemma. A screenwriter whose recent credits include Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, 21 and The Switch, the team felt Loeb was the ideal writer to take Grazer's idea to the pages.

Loeb completed his original draft about best friends Ronny Valentine and Nick Brannen, two guys who had known each other for more than 20 years and shared a business. We follow Ronny and Nick as they try to build a small engine design company that is on the verge of making a name for itself. Their lives will change if they can land a big production deal for a large automotive company. It is during this pressure-packed window that Ronny sees Geneva with another man. He struggles to figure out the right time to tell Nick, and the deeper he digs into his best friend's life, the more cloudy the picture becomes. When Ronny confronts Geneva, things go nuclear.

Once complete, the script made its way back to Ron Howard for consideration to direct. Howard was intrigued by it, as well as the prospect of collaborating with Vaughn. "I knew that Brian and Vince had brought on Allan Loeb, who's a terrific screenwriter, so it wasn't a hard decision," says Howard. "Allan is a strong, multi-dimensional storyteller. He doesn't write to genre, but instead thinks of interesting cause-and-effect situations, and he's able to sort those out in ways that are concise and entertaining."

The script lived up to the possibilities Howard found at the dinner party in Rome when the partygoers were enthralled by the "what if?" scenario. "Questions of infidelity certainly play a part in this story, but is also boils down to trust, truth and how much we tell our best friends and loved ones," explains the director. "It makes you think about how much we trust the people who we are closest to."

When Howard and Vaughn met, they discussed where the script could go--both comedically and dramatically. They liked the fact that Loeb's screenplay took a real-world issue, heightened it and made it uncomfortable, yet funny. Within days, the men were committed to making the movie.

The Dilemma marks Howard's return to comedy after more than a decade helming blockbuster thrillers and dramas. Despite directing multiple hit comedies in the '80s and '90s, Howard does not choose his projects by genre, but by stories and situations that intrigue him. "Long ago I gave up on the idea of trying to manage my career by genre," he laughs. "I love all kinds of movies: big, small, comedy, drama, thriller or fantasy. Comedies are among some of my favorite, and what I want to avoid is making films where you absolutely know where the story is going."

He admits he was pleased to find a comedy project that was funny and relevant on a deeply human level. Continues Howard: "From a storytelling standpoint, it's an interesting blend that is fresh and fun to explore. It's been 12 years since I focused on making a comedy, and it was flattering and encouraging that comedic actors on the level of Vince Vaughn and Kevin James were interested in my ideas."

For Vaughn, it was most important that he'd found a director who would challenge him. "When we were developing the script, people said, 'This story sounds like a Ron Howard comedy,' recalls Vaughn. "It felt good to be part of something that brought him back to where he began in comedy. Nightshift, Splash, Cocoon and Parenthood are all classics and just fun movies. In a Ron Howard film, you're going to get sophistication without pretention. He has a great understanding of human behavior and an elegant way of revealing a story that's not self-indulgent and is very accessible."

With Vaughn on board in the role of Ronny, Howard was ready to find the rest of his team. Of this project's draw, he echoes Grazer's thoughts on Vaughn's relatability: "The Dilemma is told almost entirely from Ronny's point of view. He is a unique, modern Midwestern guy who gets pulled through this emotional gauntlet of twists and turns. I don't think there is anyone in modern comedy who audiences would rather see playing a character caught between a rock and a hard place than Vince."

Guns on the Table: Casting the Players

When we meet Ronny Valentine and Nick Brannen, they are both at what they believe is a great place in their lives. Together, they own B&V Engine Design, a small company that's on the brink of landing a very big deal, but it's going to take a lot of work, especially from Nick, who handles all of the designing of the engines. Enter the comic stress.

When casting the role of Nick, the filmmakers went to performer Kevin James, who with the recent hit films Grown Ups, Paul Bart: Mall Cop and I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, has risen to the top echelon of comedic film actors.

"Kevin is a great guy and very funny," praises Howard. "He has paid all of his comedy dues and now is a big motion picture comedy star. He makes comedy seem so easy, and it comes from a place of absolute honesty. What's interesting is that he's at his funniest when he's upset, vulnerable or misbehaving a bit."

For James, coming on board The Dilemma was an easy decision to make. "It was a great script, and I immediately loved it," says the actor. "Allan Loeb did a great job on it, and when I knew Vince was on board with Ron directing, it was a no-brainer. I have always enjoyed Ron's films, and Vince is someone I've looked up to and wanted to work with because he constantly makes me laugh. It was easy to fall into the best friend dynamic of our characters. Also, our wives became friends and we all hung out together."

The actor explains his role as a workaholic engineer: "Nick is a complex character. He puts a lot of pressure on himself at work, which affects all of his relationships. From the outside looking in, it seems like he has a perfect marriage, but when you peel back the layers you see that not everything is as it appears."

For his part, Ronny looks up to Nick when it comes to matters of the heart. A lifelong bachelor and serial dater, Ronny has finally been convinced by Nick that he has met his match in Beth, a successful chef who has stuck by him through the years. After their extended courtship, Ronny believes it's finally time to take their relationship to the next level. After all...it's worked out perfectly for Nick and Geneva, right?

Vaughn admits he was eager to play opposite James. "I've always been a fan of Kevin's work. Not only is he hilarious, but he makes it so easy to root for him," commends Vaughn. "He is very genuine and has a warmth and sincerity in all of his performances. On this project I feel like I made a great friend who will be around beyond this film."

The director was instantly impressed with his two stars' chemistry. Although the actors had never worked together before, the duo was in sync from day one. "The story is built around two guys' friendship, which comes under siege from all the predicaments in the story," says Howard. "From the first time they met, Vince and Kevin created a great onscreen partnership. Audiences love to see them when their characters are not necessarily at their best, but are very likable and have this goodness about them. Kevin is easygoing, and Vince is extremely verbal and analytical; it is a great combination."

For the role of the endlessly patient Beth, the filmmakers cast the multitalented Jennifer Connelly, who won an Academy Award? for her work in A Beautiful Mind, which was directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer.

Howard explains his casting decision: "Although Jennifer isn't a typical comedic actress, when we looked at the story and the character of Beth, we felt it's not her responsibility to bring the laughs. The character is supposed to make you feel the stakes involved in the story and what there is to lose. Despite that, it's still a playful movie and a terrific opportunity for Jennifer to show another side of herself. She is whip-smart, very dry and funny, and I was really pleased with what she brought to the role."

The actress welcomed a chance to work again with Howard and Grazer. "Ron is an invested filmmaker," she says. "No matter what kind of project he is doing, he's meticulous, professional and cares about his performances. He's also a great storyteller. Ron's the same guy as a comedy director. I didn't really notice a different approach between doing a drama and a comedy."

When she played Alicia Nash in 2001's A Beautiful Mind, audiences were moved by the nuances of her performance. As Beth, she plays the straight man to Vaughn's Ronny. "Beth is really levelheaded," explains Connelly. "She's successful in her chosen profession, and she's really un-neurotic. She's a well-adjusted and easy-going person who loves her boyfriend and has her priorities straight."

About her on-screen boyfriend, she notes, "Vince's is great at that witty, fast talking, dry, straight delivery, and this is perfect for him. He's really bright, and it was nice to work with him on the more serious scenes. I hadn't seen him in anything like that in a long time, and it seemed like he was enjoying doing it."

Compliments Vaughn: "Jennifer has given so many great performances throughout the years. She commands the scenes she's in with a real strength and truth, but she can also be very funny and light. That makes Ronny and Beth's relationship one that you can root for."

The crux of Ronny's dilemma in the comedy is when he discovers Nick's wife, Geneva, kissing another man. He is gobsmacked that the woman he's known even longer than his best friend would cheat on Nick. For the pivotal role, the filmmakers would turn to two-time Oscar? nominee Winona Ryder.

The accomplished actress was initially considered for another part in the comedy. "I have always been a fan of Winona Ryder's work," says Howard. "At first, I thought of Winona as a candidate for Beth, but when I met with her about the possibility of playing Geneva--a character who stirs up a lot of sexual tension and doubt--she dazzled us and won the role. It's an unexpected turn for her, and she was excited and challenged by it."

Howard, Grazer and Vaughn were impressed by the levels that she brought to what could be interpreted as a stock character. Instead of reading her as a one-note femme fatale, Ryder evolved Geneva into a complicated woman whom the audience grows to understand, and at some level, with whom they can sympathize.

Ryder explains her decision to join the project: "The script made me laugh out loud, which is rare for me. It was funny, but it also had real depth and heartbreak in it, which made for a nice balance." She adds: "Ron is the complete package when it comes to directing. He is very compassionate and honest and has a great way of giving direction that makes you feel safe. He motivates you and gets so much out of you."

Some of the film's most intensely comic moments come from the interplay between Geneva and Ronny, as the audience wonders who is gaining on whom. Ronny is furious with her for her actions, and Geneva threatens Ronny to stay out of her marriage, or she'll pull some skeletons out of both their closets.

"My character starts to play chess with Geneva, but she's playing checkers," explains Vaughn. "It's a much faster, quicker game that Geneva's playing with Ronny. People will be excited to see Winona back on screen, and her character has a lot of layers to her. It's a very interesting, demanding role and she does a great job with it."

Of particularly interest to Ryder and Vaughn were the multiple showdowns Ronny has with Geneva. Explains Howard: "We call them 'gun on the table' scenes, where each character is revealing where they stand and they both try to push each other back and forth to behave one way or another. They were always highlights in the script, but as we started rehearsals, they became even more specific and more dimensionalized."

At B&V, Ronny and Nick are well on their way to landing their biggest deal yet after pitching their automotive client. In order to nab the account, they must impress and win over Susan Warner, a consultant who is shepherding the project and often catching the pair off guard with her unusual communication skills. When the team imagined their dream casting for the part, all decided their perfect Susan would be Queen Latifah.

The Academy Award? nominee shares her thoughts on the role: "Susan Warner is a consultant for a car company and trying to help Ronny and Nick out." Laughs Latifah: "She relates everything through cars, and it all sounds phallic...even when she's not intending it to be. She's a maverick and a visionary like Ronny and Nick, which is why they connect on that level. Susan is their secret go-to-girl if they need information or advice."

Producer Grazer was thrilled that the actress agreed to be a part of the production. He notes: "When we learned that Queen Latifah was interested in the character, we knew we wouldn't settle for anyone else to bring this outrageous personality to life. Susan is a force of nature. She's a high-powered player in the automotive industry who doesn't mince words. Ronny and Nick are simultaneously charmed and rattled by her frankness. With a simple look, Queen Latifah has the ability to comically disarm anyone in a scene with her. It's an unteachable, inherent skill that just equals comedy gold."

While Nick is buried in the world of electric-car engine design, Ronny uses his free time to conduct an amateur private investigation on Geneva. The first stop he makes is to catch her with Zip, a tatted-up, ripped musician who is the object of desire for his best friend's wife. "Zip was supposed to be around 30 years old, and we talked about a lot of different actors," recalls Howard. "Channing Tatum's agent let us know that he was interested in proving his comedic chops and that he loved the character. He was in the middle of a film, and we ended up talking on Skype to get his take on the character."

Gunning for a part that Vaughn refers to as "a rabid dog at a dog park" proved to be the right decision for Tatum, best known for his action and dramatic choices. He liked that Zip was slightly out of his mind and leaned on the kinky side. "I was making this dark, independent film when I got word that Ron Howard wanted to meet with me," says Tatum. "He called me on Skype and as we are talking on the computer, I find out that Vince Vaughn is in the film. That floored me, as I think he's fantastic. Ron is explaining to me why he wants to do this comedy, but all I could think about was that I'm looking at Ron Howard on my computer. It was the coolest, weirdest moment."

The first time Ronny sees Zip and Geneva together is at a botanical garden that he is scouting to be the location for his proposal to Beth. Showing him around the grounds is Herbert Trimpy, played by veteran character actor CLINT HOWARD (Frost/Nixon), a staple in Ron Howard films. Rounding out the cast of The Dilemma is AMY MORTON (Up in the Air) as Ronny's brilliantly emotional sister, Diane Popovich; CHELCIE ROSS (Drag Me to Hell) as the automotive executive who holds Ronny and Nick's future in his hands, Thomas Fern; newcomer EDDIE MARTINEZ as Ronny and Nick's odd assistant, Felix; and Ron Howard film regular, character actor RANCE HOWARD (A Beautiful Mind) as Beth's father, Burt.

Catch Up Quick: Improv on the Set

Principal photography on The Dilemma began at Smith & Wollensky, one of Chicago's many landmark restaurants. With Vaughn, James, Ryder and Connelly sitting at a window table, an unexpected fireworks display began just hundreds of feet away on the Chicago River. Though it halted production for 30 minutes, the cast and crew were treated to a spectacular display of pyrotechnics that rivaled July 4.

Once the show ended, cameras began to roll and the crew was treated to the comedic fireworks coming from Vaughn and James as they ripped through a dinner scene that brought laughter on the set. The filmmakers were pleased to see the natural comic chemistry between Vaughn and James was present from day one.

While Vaughn and James kept the cast and crew of The Dilemma laughing, much of the humor in the film is derived from the dramatic elements and situations. "Comedies can be very cathartic because they're always about uncomfortable situations that someone is going through," says Howard. "You either laugh at the characters, or you're rooting for them to navigate the hilariously awkward situation. There are those who say laughter heals and frees us to think about what we're going through...without the sense that we're being preached to."

For comedic actor James, finding these dramatic moments was a fulfilling experience. "There are many moments in the film where you feel like you're on the edge of your seat and you want to find out what's going on with the characters," he explains. "A lot of times the more serious the moment, the bigger release of the comedy."

One set dynamic between Vaughn and James that Howard could count on daily was their ability to improv and elevate the scenes. "From the minute I rolled up my sleeves, Vince and I had an open communication because I knew what he could bring to the process as an improvisational actor," says Howard. "He is also great about getting what's in the script. Vince is a creative guy who understands the whole story and doesn't want to completely rely on improv. For him, improv is the bonus round that may or may not work, but the script has to be great first; he's disciplined about that."

James agrees with his director's assessment: "After we had a lot of takes in which we stuck to the script, Vince would say, 'Just go with the emotion of what's going on here.' It was a free take, so we would go off the rails and try to hold on. It's a bit like riding a bull at a rodeo where you've got to hang on for eight seconds. It's a lot of fun, and we usually got a number of great moments."

As well, James felt Howard was open to the improv process. He notes: "Ron gets the best performances out of you because he loves to question your character's motivation and what you would do, but he also lets you free it up to try other ideas."

Vaughn's ability to riff amazed his fellow cast and crew. Lobbing lines for Ronny such as he chases Zip around Zip's apartment to stunning the attendees of Beth's parent's 40th anniversary party with suggestions that Beth's mother might have strayed with the pool boy kept Vaughn's audience laughing throughout the shoot.

The female leads were just as curious to try the process. "It was exciting to do so many scenes with Vince because I've never worked with someone who could improv like that," shares Winona Ryder. "He made me feel so comfortable that I was able to do it. Vince is a master at it, and he brings out the best in all actors that he works with."

For comedy veteran Queen Latifah, shooting her scenes with Vaughn and James toward the end of the production schedule required the actress to hit the ground running. "It was challenging popping in toward the latter half of shooting when everybody had established a flow," says Latifah. "I had to catch up quick because Vince is extremely quick-witted and improvisational. He and Kevin had a great dynamic, so I wanted to fit into the flow...and make sure I was able to bring my sense of humor into what they're doing. I enjoyed being able to improv and move mentally at a quicker pace with them. You don't always get to do that, but you definitely get your opportunities in a scene with Vince and Kevin."

Gangsters and Stanley Cups: Shooting in Chicago

It's a safe bet in a Vince Vaughn comedy that some, if not all, of the production will be shot in Chicago. The Dilemma was no exception, as the story takes place in the Windy City. Naturally, the entire production would shoot in and around Chicago and use many of the of the city's landmarks as locations in the film.

For Howard, who 20 years ago shot Backdraft in Chicago, the city provided the right energy for his new comedy. "The city has a particularly American feel to it," he says. "What I like about The Dilemma is that the characters are city people dealing with a complicated problem. I felt like the story would unfold in a very different way in cities like New York City, Boston, L.A. or San Francisco. Chicago has an unpretentious quality that the movie needed. It also has so much great architecture. Everywhere you point the camera, the skyline looks different. It offers a big city's sophistication, combined with a honesty and lack of pretense that's refreshing."

For Vaughn, having Chicago play Chicago added an extra layer of realism. "It's always important to try and be authentic to the city in which the story takes place," he says. "It helps you buy into a movie. What is great about shooting in Chicago is that we were able to use so many locations without having to change the names; it makes it feel like you're experiencing the city. The more specific you are to the city, the more people can relate to it...no matter where they're from."

One Chicago landmark that played itself in the film was the Green Mill Jazz Club on 4802 North Broadway. Opened in 1907, the Green Mill took off during the Roaring '20s when it became mobster territory. Al Capone's henchman, "Machinegun" Jack McGurn, gained 25 percent ownership of the club by then manager Danny Cohen. The Club is now immortalized as "Al Capone's hangout" and still contains the trap door and tunnels beneath the bar...under which the gangster would regularly escape the police.

The Green Mill is the setting for the scene in which Ronny and Nick take Beth and Geneva out to celebrate. It's also an opportunity for the pair to cut loose and hit the dance floor. "When you hire Kevin James, you know you're getting some dancing," jokes the actor. "It comes with the package. The world knows me as a phenomenal dancer, so I had to raise my game for the film. The production said to me: 'You probably don't need this choreographer because you'll end up teaching her everything.' I said, 'I know, but bring her in anyway,' and she taught Winona and me how to dance."

Another highlight of shooting at the historic location was when Vaughn and James improvised a little number dance number while their onscreen co-stars watch in semi-mortification. "Kevin and I put together this routine that was half-dancing, half-sports, with a quick homage to Dirty Dancing," explains Vaughn. "I don't know how it's going to cut together, but it was a lot of fun to shoot on the day."

To film two key sequences in the comedy, the production went to the United Center, home of not only the world famous Chicago Bulls, but the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks. The cast and crew shot live at games, as well as on the ice of the building dubbed by locals as "The Madhouse on Madison."

"Every movie is an expedition because you're exploring some aspect of life and putting it under a microscope for the sake of comedy or drama or fantasy," shares Howard. "No matter what the genre is, film production gives you a backstage pass to understand how so many different worlds work. We shot on the ice at the United Center a week after the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup with one of the team's stars, Dave Bolland, sitting in Video Village. I even got to drink a little champagne out of the Stanley Cup."

For Chicago native (and now full-time resident) Vaughn, production coincided with the city's win of the sports championship--just as another one of his productions did in 2005. "We're a good luck charm for the sports teams of Chicago," laughs Vaughn. "The year we shot The Break-Up, the White Sox won the World Series, and then for The Dilemma we put it in the script that Ronny and Nick go to the Blackhawks games, and they won the Stanley Cup during production. I'm a big sports fan, so shooting on the ice was a lot of fun. The United Center has such a wonderful energy to it, and it was a great place to have the first confrontation between Ronny and Geneva."

While there were many additional practical locations used for The Dilemma--including Smith & Wollensky, Weiner Circle, Sepia Restaurant, Garfield Park Conservatory, McCormick Place and Lucent Technologies--one of the key sets of the film was B&V Engine Design. In creating the space, production designer Daniel Clancy converted an old warehouse into the ultimate garage workshop.

After research on the industrial design shops of the '50s and '60s, Clancy's team came up with the look of B&V. Explains the designer: "We scouted garage spaces and mechanics work shops, both in Chicago and Detroit, and those gave us a strong, classic-design blueprint to work from. We wanted to combine the feel of an auto shop with a more technical, industrial design. We also wanted to show the workspace as a fun space that was the ultimate 'man cave.' So we flavored it with elements of mid-century furnishings, vintage pool tables, toys, high-tech computers and electronics. It's a place that anyone who is car oriented would love to work."

As the production designer's team was converting a dilapidated space into the biggest set for the film, major structural changes had to be made. Key to this process was to use the fantastic vaulted ceiling that already existed. Once his crew sand blasted and exposed the natural wood beams, Clancy wanted to make sure cinematographer Salvatore Totino captured this amazing design feature on camera.

Indeed, this discovery informed the decision to create a floating-glass executive office for co-owners Ronny and Nick. This ensured that Howard and Totino could view the entire set and show the guys' main office as an "industrial tree house." Here, they could see their creations, review new technology and showcase their accomplishments.

It took approximately nine weeks to build B&V and another week to set dress and prop correctly. Shares Clancy: "We had six painters doing all the great scenic brick, and our construction crew built Ronny and Nick's steel and glass office to code so it would be real. All windows were able to gimble, and the floor itself was made of cork, which helped with sound. We painted the main floor and gave it a vintage '50s vibe with a shuffleboard and basketball court.

"All our cabinets and stairs were salvaged from an old bowling alley to add a playground effect to the set," he continues. "We had cubicles and an office bullpen set up by Herman Miller Designs. We also added fake glass block windows and set doors for easy crew access. A lot went into the overall look of the set because we wanted to make sure it conveyed a great working atmosphere the characters were proud of having." Howard, Grazer and Vaughn wanted to present Ronny and Nick's engine design company in a way that showed that the men had vision, but at the same time, were drawing inspiration from their roots. The B&V set proved a great combination of that. Ronny and Nick love muscle cars, and they're doggedly trying to design a fuel-efficient one and sell that concept to their automotive client.

Throughout the 55-day shooting schedule, everyone agreed that it helped enormously that the majority of Ron Howard's key crew had more then 10 years of experience together. The shorthand on set provided the actors with a relaxed and collaborative environment to work in. "You can see why Ron's had the same crew around him for so many years," commends James. "They're a well-oiled machine."

With principal photography complete on the downtown streets of Chicago, James and Vaughn reflect on their experience and the film they had created.

"You want to know what happens to the characters, and the ride they take has so many laugh-out-loud moments," offers James. "I just hope Ron and everyone on the crew weren't too upset with me, because Vince just blew it up and there were so many takes when I couldn't keep it together and broke into laughter."

"The Dilemma is freight train once you get into the labyrinth of 'How do I let my friend know?' and 'What's the right way to get him the information?'" concludes Vaughn. "You have interesting characters that are thrown into this circumstance, and the fun is watching them navigate. There's different ways this could play out, and it is going to spur conversations that begin with, 'How would you handle it? What would you do?'"