Couples Retreat, I see “why did we get married” back in this movie, but with a funny vibe. i love movies like this, but still not getting a feeling to get married, no still not, hmm no i don’t feel it, still, i need to think about it."Couples Retreat," a comedy written by and starring Vince Vaughn((born March 28, 1970) is a film actor and comedian with dual citizenship in both Canada and the United States of America) and Jon Favreau, is the only new release to hit theaters this weekend.
The movie is about four couples who take advantage of a group rate to an island resort, but when they get there, they discover that they must engage in counseling and therapeutic exercises if they want to stay. It tries to mine laughs from the ridiculous tests they endure in the name of strengthening their relationships. Does it succeed? Let's see what the critics have to say.
If there's one word you never want to hear used to describe a comedy, it's this: "depressing." Unfortunately, that's how Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune sums up the film. Giving the movie 2 stars out of 4, Phillips also calls the film "sloppily written," but in regards to the actors, he comments that he enjoyed "nearly everyone on-screen."
Entertainment Weekly is a touch kinder. Critic Owen Glieberman gives the film a B-, describing it as "funnier-at-times-than-you-expect." Hardly a world-class endorsement, but Mr. Glieberman does give credit to "Swingers" vets Vaughn and Favreau for giving the film some pop. Respected critic Roger Ebert calls out Vaughn's "well-timed and smart dialogue" as one of the movie's better features.
Something else the film has going for it: the scenery. And no, that doesn't mean Favreau in a bathing suit. The film was shot entirely on location in Bora Bora, Tahiti, and the gorgeous visuals show off this island paradise. As Favreau's character aptly puts it, "this place looks like a screen saver."
Another item of note: the film was directed by Peter Billingsley, who, once upon a time, played Ralphie in the holiday classic "A Christmas Story." As mentioned in an earlier Buzz Log post, Billingsley and Vaughn are actually old friends, having met as kids while working on an afterschool special about steroids. Billingsley went on to produce many of Favreau's previous movies, and he shaved his head for a cameo role in "Iron Man."
Overall, this appears to be a movie for those who know what they're getting into: a somewhat predictable comedy with some nice scenery and funny lines. And after his last two movies set during the holidays -- "Fred Claus" and "Four Christmases" -- Vince Vaughn fans will probably be happy to just spend a little time in the sun with him and his buddies.
