09 Oct, 2009

Awesome cast? Check. Amazing setting? Check. Chiselled yoga instructor in a Speedo? Check, check, check. What could go wrong?

Written by Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn. I was expecting mile-a-minute jokes, rambling monologue humour. Throw in Jason Bateman, and you’re in comedy heaven. And as far as the one-liners go, Couples Retreat doesn’t disappoint.
Unfortunately, for a film to really work, there has to be a little bit of substance in between each joke. That’s where it starts to struggle.

A group of 30-something couples are meandering through life, seemingly going through the motions. Some of the marriages are content, some are very unhappy, some are already over.

Jason and Cynthia, an uptight, spreadsheet-happy pair, are concerned with the state of their union. So, through a PowerPoint presentation, they convince their friends to go on a couples retreat on a tropical island with them (group discount, you see). Cynthia and Jason are in it for the counselling, the others go for the jet skis.

Once they arrive though, they are informed that Eden Resort is no pick’n’mix program-- it’s all or nothing. So the unwilling participants are forced to undergo marriage 101.

The formula seemed foolproof, but the only true entertaining parts involve a cutesy toddler and some awkward couples’ yoga. It’s one of those films where the crew seemed to be having too much fun taking over a resort in Bora Bora during filming to actually work too hard on making a great movie.

Vaughn and Favreau- I’m glad you had a great holiday, but making us sit through (what seemed like) a ten-minute guitar hero duel is a bit self-indulgent. We don’t care that you rock at Jessie’s Girl, get on with the film.
It’s funny in parts, but each member of this ensemble cast has been in far better films.

Why it’s worth your time:

Great travel inspiration- Bora Bora is pure paradise. You’ll be on the next plane if you can afford it!

By Andrea Magrath