This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

5 stars? Really? I LOVE this movie. If it ever comes on TV my hubby and I totally crack up. We actually like the couples and their personalities and idiosyncrasies. We'd take this stupid vacation and put up with the Pelican Package for that paradise. One of my favorite scenes is when they are considering going home on day one when they realize they have requirements, then they get all that amazing food and drinks - so, so funny! I know the feeling - give me an awesome dinner and I will say yes, too! I about die during the therapy sessions, and nothing...nothing is better than the yoga with Salvadore. Those moments alone are worth the whole movie. We actually like this as a couple - but I can see how certain generations wouldn't like it. You need to watch the UNEDITED version - TV edits out the best moments.

Couples Retreat (2009): Dir: Peter Billingsley / Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman: Very funny comedy about friendships but also a celebration of marriage. It is a theme comedy regarding both a vacation paradise as well as the fact that these four couples are growing distant. Thinking that this is a fun outing, these couples are issued skill and communication seminars where true feelings surface. Directed with insight by Peter Billingsley with a screenplay that arrives to the obvious yet detailed in the relationships. Among the cast is Vince Vaughn whose marriage is stable but the seminars bring out certain attitudes. Out of the four couples, it is this one that proves strongest particularly during a test of infidelity. Jason Bateman also stars and encourages his friends along but secrets surface regarding his marriage. Jon Favreau is having problems with his wife because he has infidelity issues that are demonstrated during this vacation. His resolution is the most difficult to buy. Faizon Love is scarred after his wife left him so he arrives with a much younger female who proves irresponsible. They are all matched up with fine female actresses. Malin Akerman stands out because she is not impressed with some of the activities her friends are opened to. A very funny must-see for couples who may relate to the struggle to communicate and fleeing the scene. Score: 9 / 10

Couples Retreat is just not funny. There's really not much more that needs to be said. If a comedy film is not funny the film is a failure. And this is one miserable failure. Eight friends, four couples, end up at a tropical couples therapy resort. Hilarity does not ensue. There is a tiny hint of promise in the opening scenes as the story sets itself up, with one of the couples badgering the rest of their friends to go on the trip. But once we get to the resort the movie completely falls apart. Over the final 90 minutes nothing funny happens. Literally nothing. Some of the failed attempts at humor are so bad they are cringe-inducing. It is uncomfortable to watch. The film is desperate for laughs, it tries anything and everything and none of it works. Absolutely excruciating. Vince Vaughn seems incredibly bored. Jon Favreau plays a character who is a thoroughly detestable boor. Favreau was actually the lead writer of this mess of a movie, why did he write himself such a miserable character? The nicest thing you can say about anyone involved in the movie is that Jason Bateman and Faizon Love are reasonably decent. The women in the movie are completely wasted, there is nothing memorable or interesting about any of their characters. The supporting cast, headed by Jean Reno, gets no laughs. Not even a chuckle. This is an absolutely painful movie to sit through. Few comedies have ever missed the mark as completely as this one.

COUPLES RETREATIt was alright.It's a comedy about a couple who are considering divorce, so decide to go to a retreat where there is are therapy sessions that would help them decide if they should separate or work on their relationship... they take 3 of their friends with them who only go for the holiday and end up having a nightmare.The movie stars Vince Vaughn. I quite like Vince, but the only problem is he has no range. All of his roles are the same. He can't change his personality. The movie also stars Jason Bateman, Faizon Love & Jon Favreau. They all did good jobs. I thought they were quite good. The ladies also did good jobs. Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis & Kali Hawk. But I have to say my favourite character in the movie was Salvadore, played by Carlos Ponce. He was by far the funniest character in the movie. His yoga class was really funny.The film was entertaining, but the problem is, it wasn't that funny. For a comedy, there was only 1 laugh out loud moment. I was hoping it would have been funnier.I will give this film 6 out of 10.Entertaining, but disappointing at the same time.For more of my reviews, please like my Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ordinary-Person-Movie- Reviews/456572047728204?ref=hl