For most people, the words “marriage counseling” and “vacation” cannot coexist peacefully. But in this falls’ Couple’s Retreat the two are forced to cohabitate on the wacky vacation of four pairs of marital challenged couples. Vince Vaughn stars in this far fetched comedy that’s loaded with laughs but lacks believability and punch because of an overly sappy ending.

For Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) the end is near–of their marriage, that is. Infertility issues have brought them to the brink of divorce-dom and there is no looking back. Enter the all-inclusive Eden West resort. A.K.A. the last ditch resort for failed marriages that includes a complimentary kick in the behind and a yellow brick road to reconcilement. Unfortunately, Jason and Cynthia can only afford the pricey vacay at a group rate. While their friends initially resist the idea, the troubled duo persuades the naysayers to come along with promises of maximum fun and minimal counseling. At first, all seems well in Eden. But the excitement ends when the group receives their itinerary. First on the list? 6:00 AM “couples skill building.” It’s the earliest sign of trouble in paradise.

The trip immediately goes downhill when individual therapy sessions reveal all of the couples’ problems. Dave (Vince Vaughn) neglects wife Ronnie (Malin Akerman) because of an intense work schedule. Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy (Kristin Davis) secretly despise one another. And despite his new (and much younger) girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk), Shane (Faizon Love) is still reeling from his divorce from ex-wife Jennifer (Tasha Smith). Things hit a low point when Trudy’s hard partying ways overwhelm Shane and she ditches him for Eden East, the singles resort across the river. In an effort to cheer up Shane, (and score some single chicks) Joey suggests they travel to the other side to look for Trudy. But the trip is more difficult than expected, and obstacles block the path to East, or should we say easy, Eden.

Fortunately for the film, Vince Vaughn carried its comedic weight with his fast-talking sarcasm.  And while his jokes were laugh-out-loud quality, the plot was glaringly unrealistic. For one thing, the strict itinerary of the resort was downright weird. Seriously, who would pay to get kicked out of bed for mandatory sunrise yoga? Even worse, the sudden reconciliation of all of the couples was too saccharine.  All in all, Vaughn’s jokes seemed to flounder in the face of an overly contrived and too-out-there storyline.

Beer Pairing: In Eden, the temptation of single ladies was just a hop and a skip across the river.  Give into your desires with a Temptation beer by the Russian River Brewing Company. This Blonde Ale is aged for twelve months in French oak chardonnay barrels (yeah, you read that right), to give it notes of wine and oak. Take a sip and indulge in this beer’s unique brewing process.

7.25%ABV / 1.062 O.G / 27 BUs