Couple’s Retreat” begins much
like any other romantic comedy of
the last decade or so; a couple,
who are having marital issues and
close to a divorce, are looking for
something to rekindle that spark
they once had.
In “Couple’s Retreat,” the
viewer is taken through the marriage
of Jason and Cynthia, who
have tried and failed to have a
baby.
With tension growing, they’re
close to getting a divorce. However,
in a last-ditch effort to save
their marriage, they book a vacation
to a couples therapy retreat:
Eden.
The theme of marriage crisis in
movies has nearly been overdone,
but adding the therapeutic vacation
element brings a new dimension
to an otherwise bland movie.
Jason and Cynthia, to save
money, encourage their other married
friends and their spouses,
who have perfectly happy marriages,
to join them. The other
‘happy’ couples are lured in by the
belief that they can simply enjoy
the party activities and beautiful
weather, while not having to partake
in the therapy sessions.
Reluctantly, their friends, Dave
(Vince Vaughn) and Ronnie
(Malin Akerman), Joey (Jon
Favreau) and Lucy (Kristen
Davis), and Shane (Faizon Love)
and his girlfriend Trudy (Kali
Hawk) all agree.
Once they arrive, they’re immediately
sent to the couples resort
on the west side of the island and
cut off entirely from the fun
amenities. During the very first
night, the island’s resort host Sctanley
(Peter Serafiowicz) tells all
four couples that they must receive
couples therapy or leave the
resort immediately.
The strongest performance
in the film by far is by
Vaughn, who showcases hilarious
timing and
comedic genius yet again.
Despite a lack of enthusiasm,
the other three couples
agree to the therapy
so that they can enjoy
the other fun activities on the island.
During their first therapy sessions,
all three couples realize
their relationships may be worse
than Jason and Cynthia’s marriage.
Even Dave and Ronnie,
who seem to be the most stable
couple, realize they have problems
with their relationship. These
problems involve intimacy, trust,
and work. Resort owner Marcel
(Jean Reno) makes improving
Dave and Ronnie’s relationship
his personal mission.
Marcel unleashes his rather unusual
methods of relationship
building, like having them swim
with sharks and practice yoga
with instructor Salvadore (Carlos
Ponce) who is rather “hands-on.”
The key points of the movie are
poorly structured plotwise and
often rely on simple slapstick
comedy. Lead therapist Marcel’s
actions are clearly out of the blue,
and no true explanation is given
for his odd behavior, other than
that he’s crazy. This lack of information
regarding the strange behavior
of Marcel left me and
many other moviegoers dazed and
confused.
After an argument between
Jason and Cynthia, whose marriage
continues to get drastically
worse, the men and women split
up, heading in opposite directions
on the island of Eden.
It seems that at times the movie
tries to make deeper and more insightful
observations
about real marriage
and relationship
problems,
but these
a t –
tempts
c ome
off as
ridiculous, especially when combined
with the clumsy slapstick
comedy tools.
“Couple’s Retreat” never really
solidifies as simply a pure comedy,
like Vaughn’s “Wedding
Crashers,” or as a romance movie
with funny parts.
Following the argument, the
girls, predictably, go to the overlyf
r i e n d l y
yoga instructor
Salvadore
and
he takes
them to Eden
East, the singles
resort
coast. The
four guys
then, also
rather pred
i c t a b l e ,
come across
the staff
lounge looking
for the
girls. They
receive directions
to
Eden East.
Upon arrival
at Eden
East, Dave
finally realizes
how great a marriage he has
with Ronnie and takes her to a private
waterfall. Joey knocks Salvadore
out, after seeing him
getting cozy with Lucy; she then
realizes her husband will fight for
her and they
reunite.
Jason and Cynthia grab a seat at
a nearby bar, share drinks and
admit their problems. And Shane
encounters his ex-wife, who confesses
she still loves him.
Once the couples seem to work
all their differences out, they head
back to the couples resort.Marcel,
the lead therapist and resort
owner, meets the couples at their
rooms and, noticing that they
seem truly happy, frees them from
therapy.
Finally free, the newly invigorated
couples are able to enjoy jetskiing
and swimming.
Like many comedies, “Couples
Retreat” all-too quickly and conveniently
wraps up everyone’s
problems into a big happy ending.
Some deep and complex life issues
are quickly fixed by a 45-
second “life” conversation, five
minutes before the end of the
movie. It feels cheap and forced,
as if the filmmakers just had no
idea how to the movie.
Although some parts of the
movie leave you puzzled, and the
end lacks a true, strong finish,
“Couples Retreat” is still hilarious
and had everybody in the theater
rolling in laughter.
“Couple’s Retreat” is a great
movie to see with your girlfriend
or boyfriend so you can see if you
will encounter any of these problems
in your relationship in the future.
I don’t regret taking the time out
to see it.