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Couples Retreat

(2009, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Vaughn/Favreau marriage comedy has lots of sex, drinking.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, honesty

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–17

The good stuff

  • 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.
 

What to watch out for

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 character doesn'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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Drinking, drugs, & 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.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Couples Retreat

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    good for kids 13+

    very funny. i saw this with my friends and after u see this u get a lot of inside jokes. The movie is funny, but sad in parts. FUNNY... SEE IT!

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    Adult movie - not for kids

    This movie has it's moments of real comedy but others were truely flat. It is a movie about real marriages and the problems that they may have. It should be more of a drama/comedy than just comedy. Not what my husband I expected on "date" night.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Fine 4 13 and Up

    I thought this movie was a slapstick hilarious kind of funny, but there was some disturbing sexual scenes, more for comedy than anything else.

  4. I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

  5. I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Youth should be encouraged to retreat from this!

    I myself did not overly enjoy this movie. The cast is great, but the delivery is pretty poor. Regarding kids seeing it, I think only older teens would be interested... I would advise against it, as it is actually not as funny as the ads present, and there is mature content that is inappropriate (sexual), and that they wouldn't understand (marriage!).

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