Iffy for 15+
Vaughn/Favreau marriage comedy has lots of sex, drinking.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau was originally rated R for sexual content and language, but the MPAA lowered the rating to PG-13 after an appeal. But there's no shortage of sexual innuendo remaining, as well as jokes about adultery, "happy endings," sexual frequency, erections, and the like. Couples are shown kissing passionately (often clothed in only bathing suits), one character's naked rear is shown, and a yoga class gets very suggestive. The language includes regular use of "s--t," "ass," "bitch," and more, and the characters (one of whom is only 20, a fact that's mentioned several times) drink frequently. That said, underneath it all, there's a surprisingly sweet message about the importance of marriage and commitment ... which may not be of much interest to teens, though they'll likely still be drawn to the movie by the cast.
- Families can talk about the movie's message about relationships. Is there anything here that can be applied to issues of teen sexuality?
- The movie was originally rated R before being downgraded to PG-13. Is that rating appropriate, or is it too mature for a PG-13? Why do you think the filmmakers pursued the lower rating?
- What can the four couples teach teens about relationships?
The good stuff
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Messages: Although the four central couples go through many ups and downs over the course of the movie, ultimately the story is very pro-marriage/commitment. None of the couples has a "perfect" relationship, and they all have to put in real effort to make their partnerships succeed.
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Role models: None of the characters are perfect, though some have more flaws than others (Joey is openly lecherous for much of the movie, Dave can be self-centered, Jason and Cynthia come across as uptight and controlling, etc.) -- but they all learn something over the course of the movie. Ronnie and Dave have the most loving and healthy relationship in the movie, though they still have issues they have to deal with. One couple's decision to break up because he didn't want to pretend to be someone he wasn't for her is important for teenagers contemplating romantic relationships to understand.
What to watch for
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Violence: Dave gets splashed with a bloody bucket of chum and may have been nipped by a small shark (but the scene is funny, not scary). In another comedic bit, a rainstorm tips a couple out of their canoe, and they have to be saved by their friends. In an early scene, Dave trains his bedside gun on a suspected intruder.
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Sex: Lots of jokes (verbal and visual) about adultery, masturbation, erections/"happy endings," and several very lewd yoga positions (complete with suggestive thrusting). A man's erection is clearly outlined under a sheet. Couples make out passionately and are shown in bed together, but there aren't any full-fledged sex scenes. Two shots of partial nudity -- one played for laughs (a characterdoesn't wear boxers, so when he's asked to strip down to his underwear,the audience sees his naked rear) and one that's more about ogling a dripping wet man -- but no sensitive body parts shown. Lots of skimpy bathing suits and beach wear, as well as some sensuous dancing and massage.
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Language: Although there are no F-bombs, there are plenty of uses of "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," and derivatives of those words, as well as "hell," "damn," "hump," "twatting" (used in place of "tweeting"), "balls," "screw," "oh my God," etc.
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Consumerism: Apple computers and Guitar Hero are shown frequently, with the video game gettng mentioned as part of Dave's work and even played during a fairly long scene. Also mentions of Froot Loops, PowerPoint, Sandals Resorts, and Applebee's; charaters drink Budweiser.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adults on vacations drink (wine, beer, hard liquor/mixed drinks) and get tipsy/drunk pretty frequently, especially once they all go to the singles resort, where people are doing body shots and more. A 20-year-old character (who's the most avid partier of the bunch) has booze poured directly into her mouth at one point.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Retreat Usually Follows a Defeat by SWFloridaFilmFan
Like Vince Vaughn's "The Break-Up," this rom-com has its funny moments, to be sure, but overall it just fails to satisfy.
The cast is likeable and talented, but the plot is so cookie cutter that you really don't identify with any of these marital "types." In fact, I was actively rooting against at least one of the couples (Jon Favreau, I'm looking at you) and could not have cared less about the marriage of Kristen Bell and Jason Bateman. These are two very appealing performers who were given basically unsympathetic parts.
The raunchy humor of the yoga class scene went on far too long. It never built. It started with an obvious gross joke and then kept repeating the same thing over and over, like a kid in junior high who thinks a once clever punchline is just as funny the 34th time he repeats it.
Wait for this one on home video.
3
Funny but... by Dimez
PG-13!! Not for teens. This movie "covertly" endorses orgies, excessive alcohol, and dressing half naked as a way to find love. Most teens won't know that the message is to overcome your temptations and move toward what truly matters in life: the future. Teens likely accept the drinking, sleeping with perfect strangers, and downright immoral acts as something that you do while your waiting to decide that you're "ready" to be married. However, for adults the message is simple: your spouse is what you've always wanted in retrospect of who either of you have become or what you've been mislead to believe you've missed in life. An intelligent mature audience will see past the overexaggerated fun of single life and find messages about faithfulness, love, commitment, and that the hardest thing about being married is looking outside yourself. Relationships aren't always this serious so enjoy this movie for the comedy that it is. It is, after all, funny. Christians: allot of cursing and sex.
5
Five Word Review by MCLKSOSA
hilarious vince at his BEST
4
Glad I went to see this movie a real winner. by spankieone
I thought this movie was great! If you are in any kind of serious relationship then watching this movie should give you a little bit of wise advice plus a few laughs along the way. For the men there is plenty of scenes they can relate too, and for the women you have some too, which is usually not the case. I would say for a good reflection movie this is the one to see. It's like anything in life it's what you put into it and by seeing this movie you are allowing yourself to see your other significant's side of the story. See it with someone you love.
5
What a great movie by pdharris53
Couples Retreat is a must see for any married couple and espicially for ones with young kids. Although I am a single college aged guy, I still thought it was hilarious. I have kids that I take care of often so I could kind of relate to the parenting humor though. Besides The Hangover, I think this movie is the funniest movie of the year. It also had a great message to get across.
4
Great date movie! by jgfaris
My husband and I went to see this on our anniversary and it was perfect. Funny, lighthearted.
5
Tosado-Couples Retreat by Tosado
Excellent, very funny movie. A light and fun approach for some common couples problems and lives. Vince Vaughn is excellent as actor, writer and producer. Perfect evening and night movie for just laugh at them and also, laugh at yourself and your beloved couple.
4
Couples Retreat not appropriate for 13 yo by ffawthrop
The movie was funny. However if I had taken my 13 year old i would have had to leave. This movie should have been rated R. Good movie but be cautious with younger viewers.
4
Aww! by MissBritanyy
I really liked this movie. I found it relatively predicable but extremely funny and enthusiastic. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. it was one of those happy go lucky films that made you wish you where there but not at all to musy.
1
Divorce it! by aphotog
Couple's Retreat made me want to retreat to a cold metal vice in which to stick my head and squeeze.
This movie was sooo long, the script so predictable, the jokes so lame, I kept thinking it can only get better from here, it can't get worse. It just got worse.
They tried to have a "Home Alone" moment with the child using the toilet in the home improvement store toilet, hmm, amusing.
The only funny scene was when the couples stripped on the beach, and that was just amusing. I laughed more watching the trailers and previews before the movie, and as my friend said,"You laugh at everything."
Well not this movie. I felt they were laughing at me for staying through the whole thing.