Couples Retreat
Is it worth $10? Yes; Hudak give it a ‘B’

By Dan Hudak //hudakonhollywood.com

There comes a point in “Couples Retreat” when you grow tired of the story and start gazing at the beautiful scenery in the background. Aqua-blue water, white sand beaches, spectacular waterfalls with mountainous backdrops, glass-bottom villas, hot tubs —  “wow.” Just “wow.” This may not be heaven, but it truly is paradise. 

The reason we’re in paradise in this funny (but predictable) comedy is because Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) are at marital crossroads. After eight years, they’re about to divorce. For one last shot at happily-ever-after they find the Eden Resort, a place for couples to go and relax together, with therapy sessions meant to heal the marriage.

The problem is they can only afford the trip with the group rate, so their friends need to come along. Dave (Vince Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman) love one another very much, but haven’t found much alone time with two kids running around. Joey (Jon Favreau), and Lucy (Kristin Davis), were high school sweethearts who’ve fallen out of love in recent years, and neither seems interested in reconnecting. And finally there’s the recently-divorced Shane (Faizon Love) and his 20-year-old girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk), who’s a rebound if ever there was one.

The movie marks Peter Billingsley’s (Ralphie in “A Christmas Story”) directorial debut. One thing that hurts the film that is common with first time directors is pacing, and Billingsley spends a bit too much time getting everyone to the island. Once there, it’s essentially one comedy sketch after another, mixed in with some arguments and naughty behavior.
Thankfully, the script by Vaughn, Favreau and Dana Fox is funny enough to allow the comedy to work. The group awkwardly bares all in a first encounter with resort owner Marcel (Jean Reno), then takes an invasive yoga class with a hunky instructor (Carlos Ponce) who likes to get close to the ladies. A shark bites Dave. There’s a Guitar Hero showdown. And so on.

Though the comedy allows the movie to succeed, it is a welcome change to see ostensibly real marriages with different problems on display. What affects these people could affect anyone, and having an ensemble piece allows for more comedy, yes, but also for more viewers to relate to what’s going on and invest in the story. It hooks us by being familiar, and then entertains by being funny. It’s an easy formula, and yet difficult to pull off.

One imagines it wasn’t difficult, however, to assemble the cast, what with a free trip to Bora Bora at hand. Thankfully, “Couples Retreat” is more than just a travelogue for a luscious resort, although that place sure is gorgeous. 

comments@theleadmiamibeach.com