In case you were thinking of putting a lot of time and energy into deciding whether or not to see Vince Vaughn's latest comedic romp, Couples Retreat, I'll save you the worry now by saying: Yes, it is exactly what you are expecting.
Directed by Peter Billingsly, who also worked with Vaughn in The Break-Up, and written by Vaughn himself with co-star Jon Favreau, Couples Retreat tells the tale of uptight married couple Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell), who have realized their marriage is on the fritz. They convince three other married couples with whom they are friends to take a trip to a couples' counseling resort island and spa, Eden.
The other couples believe their marriages are fine and think they can just tag along on the trip for some fun in the sun, but both of those ideas are put out to dry by a rude awakening the couples receive on their first day at the resort.
Dave (Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman) don't make enough time for each other between their kids and their house renovations. Joey (Favreau) and Lucy (Kristin Davis) feel stifled and inclined to cheat on each other, as they were forced to have a shotgun wedding after Lucy became pregnant at the end of high school. Shane (Faizon Love) is dating a young 20 year old, Trudy (Kali Hawk), to compensate for losing the love of his life and former wife, Jennifer (Tasha Smith). As the couples come out of denial, they are soon able to try to work through their problems, and comedy ensues.
As with any relationship comedy, there are sex jokes galore, and all of the wives look like models, while the men ... well ... let's just say I doubt we'll be seeing Vaughn in a Calvin Klein ad anytime soon. But it's all in good fun as the couples go through some ridiculous (and some ridiculously funny) situations and journey together on this tropical island only to fall in love all over again. Any fan of movies such as Wedding Crashers and Just Friends will probably find Couples Retreat worthy of seeing, if not in theaters then to rent later on down the line.
- Kelly Kettering is a senior studying journalism. To give her your thoughts on Vince Vaughn in a bathing suit, e-mail her at kk150206@ohiou.edu
3 Culture
Kelly Kettering
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