OK, so I know this movie isn't exactly a new release but I happened to catch Couples Retreat at the dollar theater last night.
You'd think that a vacation comedy starring "consistent everyman" Vince Vaughn, his buddy from Swingers John Favreau, Arrested Development ace and co-star in every other comedy of '09 Jason Bateman, and big black Faizon Love would be a recipe for success... but NO.
Couples Retreat, written by Vaughn and Favreau, fails because it takes itself way too seriously and is just plain dull. The characters are too bland and stereotypical and most of the jokes fall flat (especially the all-too-often rants by Vaughn).
The movie centers around 4 couples struggling with different issues while attending a tropical vacation therapy camp.
As for the pairings...what's the deal with film and TV nowadays pairing the average, overweight, slacker husband with the extremely hot and intelligent wife??? Not only is it unrealistic but it actually distresses me. So, I guess I need to let myself go and dull it down to about a 3 in order to have a worthwhile relationship with a hot girl?!
All of the women in Couples Retreat (Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman and Kristin Davis) are nice, hot, reliable actresses but are merely there for eye candy. Their roles provide little to no comedic involvement. They really should've cast a group of gals with some comedy/improv chops (i.e. Kristen Wiig, Amy Poeler, Sandra Bullock, etc) to spice up the screenplay, instead of relying on the old, played-out, buddy humor between the gents.
The plot of this movie is quite predictable and formula driven and there's really nothing new about relationships explored here. Honestly, if the film hadn't taken place in a fun, tropical location it would've just been downright depressing.
One thing I did happen to like about the film (other than the fun, tropical location) was the score by Slumdog Millionaire's Oscar winning composer A.R. Rahman. Thumping bass and tropical vibes kept my head bumping while it was shaking in disbelief.
I sure hope MY next vacation is more enjoyable than this!
