The site already had a Couples Retreat Review , but since getting my copy of the BluRay, I wanted to give it my own spin, so thanks for catching another look at Couples Retreat on DVD and Blu.
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Directed by: Peter Billingsley
Staring: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis, Kali Hawk
Released: Feb 9th 2010
THE GENERAL IDEA
A couple who over analyze their relationship and realize their last hope at salvaging their marriage is to attend a Couples Retreat resort. They also realize they cannot afford it and talk their three closest couples friends to attend as well claiming the Couples Therapy is optional, but it would get them the group rate. They all reluctantly agree and they are off to the resort where they find that the therapy is NOT optional.
These couples are all forced to face their issues, and discover some they didn’t know they had.
THE GOOD
The majority of the players involved are all fun to watch and among my favourites in any film. Jason Bateman is always an in for me, and add Kristen Bell to the mix? I am so there. Vince Vaughn is resting well on his laurels here and delivers his same comedy character that he plays in pretty much every film, but fortunately that hasn’t gotten tired (yet) so I still count that as a postive. But they had me at Bell.
There was a lot of laughs to be had, and even on the BluRay with the extended scenes there were a few chuckles, but most of those scenes you realize quickly why they took them out. Just not neccessary.
THE BAD
The whole storyline with Shane (Faizon Love) and his 20 year old girlfriend was just irritating. I know it was supposed to contrast the responsible couples with their irrational antics, but it was completely unncessary. They could have made this movie without that story arc and it would have improved it significantly.
I did relate to Joey (Favreau) who struggles to still have fun and proving married doesn’t mean dead, but I just couldn’t buy into their connection. They were supposed to be playing a couple bored with each other, but they just acted like they didn’t belong together at all. The way they played them out just wasn’t selling me that they every had anything to begin with.
Two out of the four couples working for me just wasn’t enough to make me cheer on this film. Lastly, if you predict the ending of this movie, you are probably right. I don’t want to spoil how it all unfolds, but lets just say the ending is not all that big of a surprise.
THE BLU
This is a new section since I am reviewing the DVD/Blu release of the film. There is content here that wasn’t available to the theatrical release and might help you decide if you want to pick this up to buy or rent.
There was a lot of laughs to be had in the film despite its flaws, and even on the BluRay with the extended scenes there were a few chuckles, but most of those scenes you realize quickly why they took them out. Just not neccessary, but interesting to see so you can see why they left them out.
Also on the Blu copy, the Live Content active trailers are a nice touch. I like seeing trailers in the theater, and with DVD releases, I like to see what’s coming as well, but after you see those trailers, when you view the DVD again you tend to skip them. If your BluRay is BluRayLive equipped, it updates with new trailers and previews relative to the time you are watching the movie. I found that interesting.
OVERALL
The film was enjoyable and worth the watch. The laughs had are solidly in the interactions between the characters, but there is a little too much fluff and way to much setup before they get to the island that makes the film pace awkwardly.
Its a fun movie that I would recommend renting. Its got some great moments and a variety of marital archetypes for each viewer to find a sense of connection to one or more of the characters.
I give Couples Retreat BluRay a 5 out of 10
Editor’s Note: The director was Peter Billingsley. Yeah, Ralphie from A Christmas Story. Same guy!!
