Chicago is just as much of a star of “The Break-Up” as Vince Vaughn or Jennifer Aniston. Native son Vaughn intended it that way, Chicago Film Office director Rich Moskal said.
“It was without question something that [Vaughn and screenwriter Jay Lavender, a fellow Chicago native] made clear right from the get-go that they really wanted this film to not only look like Chicago but really, really embrace Chicago,” Moskal said.
Here are some Chicago sites you might recognize in the film.
1. Wrigley Field: Brooke (Aniston) and Gary (Vaughn) meet for the first time at a Cubs game.
2. Smith & Wollensky, 318 N. State.: The restaurant was the site of Brooke’s horrible blind date with a tax man. Just remember the words, “After April 15–it’s known in ‘the biz’ as ‘party time.’ “
3. General Jones Armory, 5200 S. Cottage Grove: The living space that Brooke and Gary share is a set that filmmakers built inside the armory. “They did a nice job of building that set, making it look very authentic,” Moskal said.
4. 545 N. Michigan Ave.: Brooke’s kooky boss, Marilyn Dean, dished out racy advice as well as avant-garde works of art in the “Marilyn Dean Gallery.” Before filming, the Michigan Avenue space was an empty storefront.
5. 817 W. Armitage: The filmmakers reshot the closing street scene here, according to the film office.
6. Skylark bar, 2149 S. Halsted St.: This low-key Pilsen bar served as a backdrop for Gary’s pivotal heart-to-heart with his slightly psychotic pal, Johnny O.
7. Riviera, 4746 N. Racine Ave.: Just like real Chicagoans, Brooke refers to the concert venue as the Riv.
Did you catch it?
“The Break-Up” offers several odes to Chicago:
– Brooke and Gary’s real-estate agent friend is named Riggleman, just like Jim Riggleman, an ex beleaguered Cubs manager (as if there’s any other kind).
– As Gary watches a Cubs game, the commentator advises fans that it’s going to be “a long season. It’s a marathon not a sprint.” Cubs fans know the feeling.
– Gary’s last name, Grabowski, references former Bears coach Mike Ditka’s nickname for the 1985 Bears and hard-nosed, blue-collar Bears fans. [P.T.]
