Title: Couples Retreat
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, Jon Favreau, Kristen Bell
Scores: Technical: 90, Story: 80, Acting: 95, Overall: 88
Couples Retreat is a comedy centered around four couples who decide, due to one of the marriages falling apart, that they should go to a tropical-island resort that doubles as marriage counseling for a vacation. While one of the couples is actually there to work on the marriage, the others are there for fun and relaxation but soon realize that participation in the resort’s therapy sessions is not optional.
Starring Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell and Faizon Love, Couples Retreat was pegged as being another one of those comedies that shows all the funny parts in the trailer and leaves you wanting more. I thought quite the opposite; the funniest parts were not even in the trailer. Jason Bateman is quickly becoming a great one liner comedian, as well as a great actor in general. All in all, the acting was great.
The story line is another issue. It just seemed predictable. Sure, they threw some twists in there and they were funny. But the plot just wasn’t there. This is the kind of movie you will see once, but never watch again until it’s on cable.
Now don’t get me wrong, it is a funny movie (the yoga scene is pure comedy) and you will laugh. It is worth seeing. Like I said, the characters alone make the movie extremely entertaining. Whether it’s the relationship obsessed Bateman, the cocky “my relationship is perfect” Vaughn, or the dying to cheat Favreau/Bell combo; The movie is funny. Go watch it.
By Dave Minyard
