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COUPLES RETREAT |
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I freely admit that I have not been as impressed with Vince Vaughn as many are. He has been in a couple of films that were funny,
but not funny because of him in particular. So entering "Couples Retreat" I was guarded as Vaughn has top billing. Whew! Good thing he only gets top billing but really shares the billing with an outstanding ensemble in a truly wonderful
and hilarious comedy. The set-up is rather simple. Four couples Dave & Ronnie (Vaughn and Malin Akerman), Jason & Cynthia (Jason Bateman and Kristen Bell),
Shane & Trudy (Faizon Love and Kali Hawk) and Joey & Lucy (Jon Favreau and Kristin Davis) all sign on to go to Eden - a couples getaway for couples having marital issues. |
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This is not what they thought they were getting. Actually it was the brainchild of Jason & Cynthia because they are contemplating a divorce and see the
retreat as a last ditch effort to work things out. They get the others to come because they can get a great group rate. Upon arrival they are impressed by the beauty of the island and ready for a great time. That's when the are informed - by Stanley (Peter Serafinowicz), a
Mr. Roarke-like greeter - that they are to participate in the couples building program or get off the island. Initially it doesn't seem like a bad thing especially since their marriage guru Marcel (Jean Reno) seems pretty cool. But things turn in a hurry.
The program consists of odd exercises including swimming with sharks and personal evaluations. The shark swimming was a hoot especially when a bucket of bloody fish parts falls into the water with the swimmers sending
the sharks into a frenzy. |
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But the exercises exacerbate problems. Trudy has far to much energy for the much older (and heavier) Shane -
described by Marceau as having "layer upon layer of unused muscle". Joey wants to
go try the swinging singles section of the island to nail some of the hot single girls - his wife wants to nail the yoga instructor. Jason is a control freak and
Cynthia doesn't want to be controlled any more. Dave and Ronnie just want time together but don't find it, thus start fighting. Of course the yoga instructor is the straw that breaks the camel's back...depending on how you look at it. The men are
all clearly threaten by him while the women all drool. The yoga instruction and Guitar Hero segment are laugh riots. The gags will leave you laughing silly. |
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But "Couples Retreat" is a film that exercises great casting and a magnificent ensemble acting. There hasn't been a better matching of
talent since "The Big Chill". Maybe this is what Vaughn needs? Who knows, I just loved it. "Couples Retreat" is like a Fantasy Island episode gone bad. But it is a great couples movie - for those who eschew the upcoming horror
films. Even the cameo by Tasha Smith didn't upset the chemistry. Now that's good. --GEOFFREY BURTON
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