COUPLES RETREAT

CAROLINE: I was so excited for “Couples Retreat” because the trailer was hilarious and the cast is so fab. Sadly, it kinda sucked.

RYAN: Wow, I’m sorry to hear that because I know you were eagerly anticipating it. I, on the other hand, wasn’t been looking forward to it since I’m a bitter single.

CAROLINE: [laughs’ You just thought the trailer wasn’t that funny.

RYAN: Indeed. And I missed the screening, so give me the deets.

CAROLINE: It started out OK, but I think that was just because I was just excited to see these actors all together in one movie. I did laugh out loud a handful of times, but after about 15 minutes, it got really lame and dragged majorly. It was about 20 minutes too long too.

RYAN: Ew. How was Kristin Davis?

CAROLINE: She looks great and she’s good, but the women in this movie are given none of the comedic lines. They all go to Vince, who was doing his usual shtick but not even that well, and Jon Favreau whose one-liners are truly brilliant. Jason Bateman is cute and funny as always; but I was expecting so much more.

RYAN: So is it a dude comedy?

CAROLINE: Actually, no. It definitely deals with relationship issues and there are even a few almost dramatic moments since it’s about marriages that are close to falling apart. I appreciated some of the scenarios in the film, but I felt like there were so many missed opportunities for humor. They kind of went lowest common denominator on us. Like penis and butt jokes.

RYAN: That’s so disappointing. Do you think it had anything to do with the fact that Ralphie from “A Christmas Story” directed it?

CAROLINE: Possibly. He’s BFFs with Vince Vaughn and has barely directed before. But honestly, I think the real problem was that the screenplay just wasn’t good enough.

RYAN: Even though it was co-written by Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn?

CAROLINE: Totally. It should have been freaking hysterical, but instead it was a groaner. Vince and Jon phoned it in. One high point is that Rodrigo from “Lipstick Jungle” plays a scantily clad yoga teacher. I had no idea he had that body on him! He’s funny, but also over-the-top.

RYAN: Let’s talk about the other major player in the movie – its location. Was it totally gorgeous?

CAROLINE: Beyond! I so wanted to go there. They shot it in Bora Bora and the water is so amazing.

— BOTTOM LINE —

CAROLINE: This movie really disappointed me. It should have been hilarious, but instead it’s mostly dumb jokes that you’ve seen a million times before. Some of the relationship issues are handled really well and I enjoyed that, but the comedy was seriously lacking. I can’t recommend it at all.

— RATING —