Thursday, Mar. 04, 2010

Couples Retreat

It has been 14 years since Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau first told us that they were "money, baby" in "Swingers." Since their memorable breakout, the two have moved in totally different directions. Favreau has become an established director who has made some modern classics, "Elf" and "Iron Man" among them. Vaughn has gone on to become a star in a new comedy universe, pairing up with other actors to create various comedy gems. Vaughn and Favreau have always been present in each other's careers, teaming up most notably in "The Breakup" which also brought the resurgent Jason Bateman into the mix. Here, they all meet up again - and again it works. Favreau does his regular unlikable husband whom he has become almost stereotyped. Bateman plays his regular tight-ass, uptight control-freak. And Vaughn, well, Vaughn just does Vaughn. The wives are played aptly by a crew of comedy veterans, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis and Malin Akerman - each starring in their own successful romantic comedies in the past. It is an unpredictably funny ensemble and the parts all work in tandem, sprinkling in scenes where the bit players take control and run away with the laughs, including a yoga class that can't be forgotten and therapy sessions that are hilarious. Well worth the rent.