Universal Pictures
2009 - Rated R - 1 hr 53 min
Director: Peter Billingsley
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Malin Akerman, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis
When this movie came out and everyone was like "Ooh! What a great cast! This is going to be hysterical!" I was onboard. We saw it in the theater and enjoyed it, then were puzzled to hear that not everyone thought it was as funny as they hoped. Well sure that's going to happen... This isn't a slapstick comedy, it's not Wedding Crashers, and it's not just shallow comedy either.
This movie is funny because of how well it hits the nail on the head. The construct is a bit weak - four couples who all fit a stereotype we see in our world today - but the message is clear: "Make it work if you want it to work." Maybe the humor makes people uncomfortable, or maybe it's not the Favrea/Vaughn people expect. Still, I happen to think this movie is pretty darn hillarious.
As for the vacation spot, with the crazy couples therapists and the fish-feeding exercises that draw sharks, there's your Favreau/Vaughn humor. It's background noise, despite the movie's poster and catch phrase that would tell you its otherwise. It isn't the main point, it's the backdrop where these comedy writers make their valid point about human relationships.
For these reasons, and the fact that kids peeing in display toilets is hysterical, I really liked this one a lot.
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