Couples Retreat
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Vaughn/Favreau marriage comedy has lots of sex, drinking.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–17
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Role models:
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Couples Retreat was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Parents need to know that this comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreauwas originally rated R for sexual content and language, but the MPAAlowered 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
- 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?
More on Couples Retreat
What’s the Story?
Is It Any Good?
This is a family affair for Favreau and Vaughn (who also co-wrote and produced the film, which is directed by their pal Peter Billingsley), and it shows. There's a pleasant ease to the way the two men (along with their regular on-screen buddies) exchange jokes and poke barbs at each other. They're a long way from those single Swingers, but they've still got a hilarious rapport that makes audiences guffaw more than this middling comedy deserves. Unfortunately the movie feels overlong (it could've used a sharper edit), and except for Dave and Ronnie, the couples aren't really likable -- especially Joey and Lucy, who spend most of their time looking for younger hotties to ogle.
In addition to the eight leads, there are several noteworthy performances among the hotel staff. Cuban-American dreamboat Carlos Ponce (best known to Spanish-language soap fans) is a definite scene-stealer as Salvadore, the ripped, teeny-briefs-wearing yoga instructor. Jean Reno, always a delight to see, plays New Agey resort founder Marcel, and English comedian Peter Serafinowicz makes his Hollywood comedy debut with expert smirks, creepy smiles, and hilarious over-pronunciation as resort facilitator Sctanley (yes, that's spelled correctly). No, Vaughn and Favreau haven't surpassed their Swingers legacy, but this otherwise mediocre vacation comedy is saved by how charming they and their troupe are to watch on screen.
Movie Details
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/9/2009, DVD release: 2/9/2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for on appeal for sexual content and language
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
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Kids ages: 9, 11
I rate this title off for age 5 and give it- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I really liked this movie. However, there are some suggestive things. In one scene, a man's pants are pulled down and he is seen naked from behind. This is very brief though. In another scene, a yoga instructor does some lewd poses on both men and women (the instructor is male). There is also some drinking and getting drunk. In one scene, a woman leans over a bar and has alcohol poured into her mouth. Finally, there is some product placement for stuff like Apple, Starbucks, Guitar Hero, and Mocrosoft Powerpoint. Overall, great movie, but parents should preview the movie first before letting a kid see it.
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I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Do yourself a favor and miss it
It is disappointing that the positive pro-marriage/commitment message they were trying to convey couldn't have been accomplished without the vulgarity and crudity. It should have been rated R.
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
funny
A good movie movie, pretty funny
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Perfect for adults, iffy for tweens
Good movie, but NOT for children. It's humorous, and in the end has a happy ending. *CHILDREN* DO NOT watch this movie with your parents! It's awkward, and has a lot of sexual scenes and talk. Great movie though!
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Excessive consumerism
- Negative role models
A bit awkward to watch....:S
Kids, if you pick up this movie, DO NOT watch it with your parents! Luckily I didn't, I watched it with my brother and our friend, and THAT was awkward enough! There is lots of sexuality in this film. There is lots of talk about sex, erections, ejaculation (happy endings) and more, including several scenes where some very sexual yoga positions are portrayed, complete with thrusting..it's REALLY wrong. A man is being massaged and gets a massive erection and is moaning etc... an island is nicknamed Hump Island. There is a brief sexual scene, and lots of kissing throughout. Partial nudity is shown...a man takes his pants off and has no underpants on but we only see his backside and lots of gasping. A man is shown naked with his groin area being covered by a bush. Lots of sexual dancing between couples, with thrusting etc. There is also a scene where a woman is sitting on top of her partner, and she drips hot candle wax on his chest (very wrong), and a man looks at a picture of a scantily clad woman and begins to rub lotion into his stomach, but is interrupted..There is lots of talk about Guitar Hero and it is shown being played...some swearing too....it pretty much relies on sexual and crude humour, I didn't laugh much, and the couples are all shown fighting so that's not what I call good role models for kids watching it...it's a pretty bad movie, I think, but lots and lots and lots of sex, like WAY too much, and very awkward to watch, so I don't reccomend it, but if you do see it, be prepared..:/
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
bad movie
ughh this movie wasnt good. maybe i had 2 or 3 laughs but most or it was just boring convo and sex. dont watch it.
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I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Not for kids...adults--just okay.
Beautiful scenery...had some funny moments but it was not great...I had hoped for better...Vince Vaughn and Jason Bateman acted it out well...but somehow the story just putzes...nothing in this movie is for kids.
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Couples Retreat Has Iffy Stuff To 10 + 14
Couples Retreat Has Iffy Stuff To 10 + 14
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
Between Ok and Bad.
I'm not sure if the director wanted to make this film a comedy, or a romance. Many sexual references, but their usually watered down with a joke. Some partial nudity, but not too much of an issue. Adults will appriciate it more.
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Not at all as funny as i thought it would be but it was pretty funny. It does contain a lot of sexual acts in the movie, but not at all really graphic. Definately would recommend this to any vince vaughn lovers.
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Kids ages: 6
I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- 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!
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I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
- 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.
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- 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.
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I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
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Kids ages: 8
I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
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!).
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Our Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 71% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 71% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 71% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 29% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
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