Four couples decide to take a couples vacation on a beautiful beachside resort. One of the couples, Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell), are experiencing troubles and the resort also has couples counseling. Without this counseling they believe their marriage will fail and the only way they can afford the cost of this resort is through a group rate. Bateman and Bell come across as the quintessential over organized and over analytical couple. Their acting is solid in these roles and the audience believes in their despair. The other couples sign on, thinking they will enjoy the beaches, jet skis, the bar, and they’re helping out friends through a tough time. Unbeknownst to the couples, the counseling is not optional and the fun vacation has now turned into a giant support group.
New Age Zen
The couples are plunged into a new age, over the top, Zen retreat. Couples Retreat focuses on their reaction to their new, slightly uncomfortable encounters. Shane (Faizon Love) and Trudy (Kali Hawk) are the middle aged divorced man and the twenty something young woman couple. Although funny to watch, the duo doesn’t seem to bring much to the screen. Their performance is comical at times but mostly bland. Dave (Vince Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman) have the most difficult time coping with their counselor. They find the experience over the top and completely ludicrous. Vaughn and Akerman’s chemistry is a little off and doesn’t feel heartfelt as opposed to Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy (Kristin Davis). Favreau and Davis had the most chemistry among the star studded cast. The audience could feel their struggles and near hatred for each other during the counseling sessions, from the arguments that shocked the seasoned therapist and to their hunt for extracurricular activities were fabulous.