At the Movies with Fatwayne

We are introduced to four couples who are friends that are wrapped up in their daily lives just like all of us. One couple’s marriage is on the rocks and they are desperate to see if they can save it. Jason Bateman and Kristen Bell play Jason and Cynthia who want to go to a couples retreat held on a beautiful tropical island in Bora Bora. There, they hope that a renown couples therapy program can help them save their relationship. They have one very large problem and that is they can’t afford the trip unless that can get a group rate. This is where their friends come into the picture.

Jason pulls every trick he can think of to get these busy couples to join him and Cynthia. He is so frantic that he resorts to begging his friends to help him to save his marriage. Eventually they come around and agree that a vacation to a beautiful island would be fun.

When they get to Eden, the resort in Bora Bora, and are having dinner that night they begin to make plans for the next day. About this time the resort manager, Stanley, informs them that they are expected for couples therapy at 6 am! Three of the couples want no part of this as they are here for good times like jet skiing, fun in the sun and spa treatments. They are informed in a most firm manner that the vacation deal mandates the therapy and if they choose not to participate they will have to depart the island.

Since they are already there, the decision is made to go along with the program. After all, how bad could it be? This is where the fun begins. All of the couples begin to realize that their marriages are not perfect, in fact, far from it. One couple is only dating as Shane, Faizon Love, is estranged from is spouse).
The film also stars Vince Vaughn, Jon Favrreau and Jean Reno as Marcel, the lead therapist, founder and operator of the resort. The rest of the cast do a creditable job with Carlos Ponce as Salvadore, the yoga instructor, stealing his fair share of the scenes.

The scenery is absolutely fabulous! The color of the water is to die for and the resort and it’s surrounds are most pleasing to the eye. All in all, this is a neat little comedy, not the best mind you, but not a waste either.

Rated – PG13 -

Fatwayne’s Rating –  -