Jo Reviews

Every couple goes through their own share of drama. But most don’t travel to an exotic locale to share their stories. In “Couples Retreat” Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kritsen Bell) announce to their close friends that they are on the verge of divorcing and the only thing they can do to salvage what marriage they have left is to go to Eden. Eden is located in the Caribbean on the beautiful blue waters. If they can convince their friends to go with them they will get a great group rate and get to participate in water activities, delicious cuisines and negotiable couple’s skill building.

Upon arrival the couples are in awe of the amazing location and the huts they will be staying in right on the water. At their first dinner they look forward to the following days activities until they receive their itinerary, which consist of 6am couples skills building followed by therapy sessions. When they learn the skill building and therapy is not negotiable to enjoy the entire amenities of the facility they decide to partake. As they talk about their feelings they find that they have a lot to learn about each other and growing to do as a couple. Dave (Vince Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman) find that they don’t communicate as much as they use to; Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy (Kristin Davis) find that they are stuck in their marriage and seem very unhappy as they have been together since high school; Shane (Faizon Love) and his girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk) learn they have nothing in common as all Shane does is talk about his wife who he recently split from and the couple responsible for the entire trip take the sessions to heart and can’t seem to enjoy a minute in paradise.

Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn do a great job at entertaining the movie watchers. This film is not a slam dunk, but you need to go in and understand what you are watching. It is another comedy that is full of obscene motives, gestures, discussions and anything you come to expect from Vince Vaughn. “Couples Retreat” is a comedy that most couples will enjoy; I know my husband and I found ourselves laughing continuously. The scenery alone is worth the cost of a ticket price. Bora Bora was a beautiful location to film at and added that much needed taste of paradise to a rather bitter sweet subject of a troubled marriage.