Couples Retreat starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis and Jason Bateman

Let’s talk about your expectations first. The trailer was fun enough and made me expect a funny film with familiar actors. Now, there is no originality. The film is all about stuff you have seen before. But then again, it is about something that never gets old: Relationships. There are no plot twists or surprise endings. So, if you are looking for a smart and somewhat original script, run away from the film and never look back.

Why on earth did I enjoy it then?

1) Vince Vaughn. I like that guy. He surely seems to be playing the same talkative half-wiseass, half-sweet guy over and over again. But he is always entertaining. He proved his dramatic skills in Return to Paradise, which is unlike any Vince movie you have ever seen. I find Wedding Crashers and Old School hilarious and The Break-Up tolerable. Mr. and Mrs. Smith only got more fun with his contribution.

2) Jon Favreau. Now, you have to like a guy who directs the Iron Man movies.

3) Kristen Bell. She had the title role in the interesting TV series Veronica Mars. She also stars in the 2010 romcom When in Rome, crime/romantic/comedy Serious Moonlight alongside Timothy Hutton and Meg Ryan; as well as the hilarious romantic comedy written by and starring Jason Segel - Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

4) Kristin Davis. I loved Sex and The City and its 4 girls.

5) Carlos Ponce. Yes, I know you have seen his character Salvador a million times before: The extra-muscled exotic yoga instructor with a heavy accent. He makes all the men feel threatened. But, if you have seen Carlos in Lipstick Jungle, the difference alone will put a smile on your face.

6) Just look at the place they retreat to. Just breath-taking.

7) The kid playing Vince’s younger son. He is a riot!

Malin Akerman: If you liked her in The Watchmen (she plays silk Spectre II), there is a chance you will like her here. But of course for a totally opposite character, you can watch The Heartbreak Kid, also featuring Ben Stiller.

9) Jean Reno: Oh yes, he can pull off everything. But for maximum effect, remember Leon. You will laugh your butts off.

10) I have always loved Guitar Hero. You will know what I mean after you see it.

The plot? Four couples are best friends with each other: Lucy and Joey (Davis and Favreau), Dave and Ronnie (Vaugh and Akerman), Cynthia and Jason (Bell and Jason Bateman) and their friend in crisis: Shane. I said 4 couples. I will come to that.

Dave and Ronnie are happily married with 2 little kids. They are busy with their hectic lives but they are still in love.

Lucy and Joey have raised their daughter and they are counting down the days till she leaves home for college- so that they can get a divorce. Their friends have no idea.

Well, Shane’s wife has divorced him and he is now in the middle of a mid-life crisis, dating a 20 year old.

Cynthia and Jason are having a rough time and they have come with a plan. They have found a really good group discount for a week’s vacation on an exotic island. The only catch is, they have to persuade their friends to join this program that includes counseling as well. What follows is one hilarious week with even wackier characters.

It is harmless, silly and ordinary. But it is fun.

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Tags: comedy, Couples Retreat, Couples Retreat trailer, Jon Favreau, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis, Malin Akerman, movie review, Vince Vaughn