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“You are not buying some 20-year-old broad a motorcycle!” yells Vaughn’s character, Dave, to Love’s character, Shane, who’s having an early midlife crisis. “She’s a kid! Buy her a Hello Kitty book!” Turns out that all the couples in Dave and Shane’s circle are having issues, and decide to take a group tropical vacation. Ah, but there’s a catch: the island getaway comes with mandatory couples counseling and bonding events. Most of the film’s laughs come from cringe-worthy fish-out-of-water moments, though there are some pretty great fish-in-water moments, too: Dave begins to panic during a test involving swimming with sharks. “It’s time to get the gun, and shoot some fish!”
Reno is also a standout, as the unctuous New Age-y director of the retreat, fearless in spewing half-nonsense yet having the almost admirable courage to stand behind his convictions. The film was directed with a light hand by Peter Billingsley, who starred as young Ralphie in A Christmas Story, and who has acted with Vaughn in Four Christmases and The Break-Up. And somehow, among the lunacy and the beauty of nature, friends and soulmates may just find the way back to each other. Just steer clear of the Jet Skis. –A.T. Hurley
Fulbright says:
I had been wanting to see this movie for a long time and finally went to see it two nights ago. After reading some of the bad reviews, the critics rating the movie a “C” and only 2 stars from [...], I was a bit skeptical. I forgot about the ratings and decided to see the movie anyway.
I laughed throughout the whole movie, as well as the audience. There were younger people (early 20′s), 30′s – 40′s, as well as a couple who were around the age of 60 in the audience. The elderly couple was sitting in front of me and as far as I could tell, they had a blast.
Despite the reviews of the critics and some viewers, I enjoyed this movie. I don’t want to give any of the movie away but it’s a laid back, hilarious story of one couple needing to work on their marriage and three other couples that wind up in the middle of all the chaos. There are different struggles and adventures that happen throughout the movie. As a poster had previously stated, it shows how different men and women truly are. This film also shows real life situations and things that come up in relationships and marriages often these days. Even though it’s a “funny film”, there are a few aspects of the movie that had the audience “aww’ing” but then belching out with screams and laughter right after.
If you’ve been wanting to see this movie, are a Vince Vaughn fan, or just need a good comedy (yes men, don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll laugh at the movie just as much, if not more) – I would definitely recommend this film.
This is NOT recommended to watch with children in the room nor taking them to the movie theater to see it with you.
February 15, 2010, 2:31 pmEdgardo says:
People expect to be hunched over in a frenzy of laughter for two hours straight when they watch comedies today I swear. The humor in Couple’s Retreat wasn’t over-done, which is why I enjoyed it. I feel like all you whiners have become desensitized with all the overly dramatic movies out there, no one can appreciate simple humor anymore. Couple’s Retreat is light and silly, and it’s shot in Bora Bora (amazing!). The interpersonal relationships are realistic, and the commercialization isn’t a killjoy. I especially enjoyed the therapy sessions LOL
I would suggest it for a first date, movie night with a new beau, or an old married couple :p
February 15, 2010, 7:01 pm