Couples Retreat: The Little Script that Could (Have Been Funnier)

Couples Retreat (2.5 Stars out of 5)

I had an epiphany last night while watching “Couples Retreat”. My realization was this: Vince Vaughn cannot be a leading man. In order to succeed at what he does best, Vaughn has to be the motor-mouthed sidekick in a movie. As proof of this revelation, take into account the films Vaughn has actually stood out in. Way back in 1996, Vince made himself a star by acting as Jon Favreau’s off-the-cuff best friend Trent, (a character supposedly written for, and based upon the real life version of Vaughn,) in “Swingers”. Then Vince decided he wanted to be a serious actor and played roles in movies like “Jurassic Park: The Lost World”, “Return to Paradise” (a movie I liked…), the remake of Hitchcock’s “Psycho” and his infamous part in Jennifer Lopez’s flop, (does she have a hit?) “the Cell”.

After making himself a star in 1996, it’s debateable that Vaughn didn’t return to the scene as a big name until almost a decade later in 2003 with Todd Phillips’ “Old School” where he played electronics salesman Bernard Campbell. However in “Old School” Vaughn was not the lead character, that title belonged to Luke Wilson who has since disappeared from the face of the planet. Since his comeback in ‘03 Vaughn’s best work has been featured in films like; “Dodgeball”, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “Wedding Crashers”. His mistakes and missteps include; “Be Cool”, “The Break Up”, “Fred Clause” and last year’s “Four Christmases”. Notice that three of the films he’s performed poorly in are ones in which he’s played the lead role. I guess for me, too much Vince Vaughn ruins his appeal. It is arguable that in “Wedding Crashers” he was co-lead, but the core story of that film involves the love tale between Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams.

“Couples Retreat” disguises itself as an ensemble film with Vaughn being its most bankable star, and therefore his is the only name shown prior to the title on screen. It was partially written and produced by Vaughn too, and features old friend Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis and Faizon Love. The last time a film like this worked for Vaughn was, “Dodgeball” but he had comedy vets Rip Torn, (“Men in Black”) Stephen Root (“Office Space” and “News Radio”) and Ben Stiller to help him. There is no help for Vaughn in “Couples Retreat” which Vince tries his best to carry on his own.

Vaughn plays Dave, a video game salesman who has a seemingly normal life. When his friends Jason and Cynthia announce at Dave’s kid’s birthday party that they’re thinking of getting a divorce suddenly the idea of “normality” comes crashing down. Jason and Cynthia decide that they’re going to give their marriage one final chance by taking a trip to a renowned couple’s retreat at a tropical resort called Eden. The catch, is that they can’t afford to go just the two of them, it’s a cheaper trip if it’s taken with a group rate. After an odd scene featuring Jason trying to break into Dave’s home, the whole gang decides to help their friends try to save their marriage. The group is sold on the idea because Jason and Cynthia tell them that the therapy portion of the trip is optional. When they get to Eden, they find out quickly that couple’s therapy is anything but, ‘optional’.

Aside from Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell), who are the uptight, W.A.S.P.y couple, there is Dave and his wife Ronnie (Malin Akerman, “27 Dresses”). They have been married for years, and have two cute kids. Their problems are mostly mundane, like arguing over tile choices to remodel their home. Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy (Kristin Davis) are the couple that has the most problems that they don’t talk about. Together the longest, they are high-school sweet hearts who got married because of a baby they accidentally conceived on prom night. Joey struggles with the fact that he no longer finds his wife attractive and because he got married so young, he believes he missed out on his youth. Then there is Shane, (Faizon Love) who recently divorced and is going through a mid-life crisis by dating a twenty-year old girl (played by relative newcomer Kali Hawk).

Vaughn and Favreau’s script has more problems than funny gags. For one thing, aside from the film he directs, it seems that Favreau has decided the only role he can play these days is that of the aged bully type. He’s played the same exact part in “I Love You Man”, “Four Christmases”, and “The Break Up”. This marking the fourth time in three years that Jon Favreau has played the same type of character, the jokes and gags regarding his character Joey, are already tired and boring.

For another thing, when did Kristen Bell age ten years? Isn’t she still in her twenties? Interesting that forty-year-old Jason Bateman could even woo her in the first place. I’m not trying to judge the age gap- some people make it work. But for me? If I was a twenty-something girl, I don’t think  I would be attracted to a forty-something anal retentive lawyer. The same goes for young party-princess Trudy, dating the older Shane.

Finally, the film just seemed to drag. The funniest scenes are those that you’ve already seen in the preview. There are plenty of laughable parts not seen in the commercials, like the therapists on the island, the yoga class, a rant on ‘Applebees’ and when the boys are in the ’snow’ sauna together. However the build-up to the film’s climax takes too long to reach and the ending itself seems just too outrageous. (Here’s a hint: a character you didn’t realize was missing surprisingly shows up and finds the group…at the end of the week…on an island packed with partying people…)

Overall, I definitely expected more from Vaughn and Favreau’s script. Also, movies about failing relationships are always difficult to watch. I watch films and television shows as an escape from reality. I don’t want to watch things on screen that make me  reflect poorly on myself, or question my past actions. (See: “The Break Up” and the same reasons that movie failed.) If you find yourself a fan of Vaughn’s motor-mouthed antics then there’s enough here for you to enjoy. It could have been funnier and maybe fifteen or twenty minutes shorter. When it comes to Vince Vaughn for me, less is more (funnier).