The tag line for the new
date comedy Couples Retreat states, "It may be paradise... but it's no
vacation". Makes it sound like a horror film rather than a middle aged
comedy about suburban couples. Yet this film from director Peter Billingsley is swimming comedy but with a few
serious undercurrents that at times almost drag it under.
The story revolves around 4
couples each in various stages of marriage and relationships. They all decide
to take a vacation together to a remote paradise island in order to help one of
the pair save their marriage. Problem is that when they get there they find it
is not all fun and games as all the couples must go through marriage building
workshops. This of course lends itself to some hilarious moments that all
married couples will appreciate; and that is a point that needs to be
addressed. This is certainly a movie geared toward those adults who are
married. Though the laugh out loud moments are relate-able to most everyone the
overall theme and lessons of the film are definitely meant for those who have
taken the vows.
There is a strong cast in
this one including Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, and Jon Favreau. I
just wish the filmmakers would have taken more time assembling a balanced
female cast to go along with these guys or at best written roles that would
allow them to shine. Not that the women (Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis, Malin
Akerman, Kali Hawk) aren't capable actors. It has more to do with matching them
with the right leading man and giving them decent lines. The pairing of Vaughn
and Akerman is the only one that came close to jiving. Apart they are great.
Love is as funny as he has ever been and Bateman scores his usual dry wit and
conservative persona. Vaughn may surprise many with his mature take on marriage
and life but he still brings that charisma and sarcastic humor you expect.
The undercurrents I
mentioned earlier mainly come in the form of arguments and drama within the
marriages on screen. These break the rhythm of the comedy and seem a little off
setting. The funny scenes are hilarious including a yoga session that had me in
tears. But in the midst of this is a serious element that you either lose or
that makes you feel bad about laughing at the funny part. I never could grasp
what Billingsley was trying to accomplish. The fact he was trying to do both
made the movie feel longer than it was.
Couples Retreat is rated
PG-13 on appeal for sexual content and language. (originally Rated R for some
sexual material.) I think it is nowhere close to an R rating. There is some
sexual material in here that parents and their teens may squirm a little at but
as far as anything offensive and crude, there is none. Though long and at times
heavy handed this is still a movie that would make a fun date night for you and
your spouse. Regardless of what stage you are in your marriage there is
something in here that will hit home and make you think about how you act and
respond to your spouse. I give it 3 out of 5 breakout sessions. So go for the
laughs and fun but if you're not careful, you may learn something before it's
done! So says Matt Mungle and Bill
Cosby.
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