No rom, no com...just bomb

What do you get when you make a romantic comedy that is neither funny nor romantic? The answer is "Couples Retreat," a film boasting a lofty $80 million budget and a star-studded cast, including Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristin Bell and Malin Akerman. Unfortunately, unconvincing acting, along with a bottom-feeder story line and a glut of overused jokes, makes "Couples Retreat" this fall's must-miss.

The film is based on the failure of a couple, played by Bateman and Bell, to conceive after eight years of marriage. To save their relationship, the two enroll in an exclusive therapy retreat on an island paradise called Eden, dragging three other couples along to receive a group rate. The others, convinced that they can just enjoy paradise, are surprised to find out upon arrival that the therapy sessions are actually required. In these sessions, each couple discovers problems in their relationship. The rest of the film focuses on whether the couples will work out their issues or go their separate ways.

Although I prefer to be kept on the edge of my seat, I'll forgive the fact that the movie is predictable from the start. Anyone who has watched enough Hollywood romantic comedies knows that originality isn't their strong suit. What I won't forgive, though, is that the movie's funniest scene is its first, when a baby - wait for it, wait for it - wets the bed! The rest of the film is too bogged down in the couples' dreary problems to remember to be funny. Sparse one-liners made the audience giggle but never laugh.

Also unforgivable: the film's superficial approach to romance. I was disappointed that the film invested so much time in presenting realistic relationship problems, only to brush them aside at the end, as if past events and actions could be suddenly forgotten, as if real love needs no sacrifice.

I must admit that romantic comedies are not my cup of tea, but I do love Vince Vaughn. Without the ridiculousness of Will Ferrell or the craziness of Jack Black, Vaughn can play an average Joe and still make the audience laugh their brains out. His past films, including "Wedding Crashers" and "Dodgeball," brought both laughter and sincerity. In "Couples Retreat," Vaughn carries the comedic torch alone, but even he can't save the movie.

As much as I hate to give a Vince Vaughn film such a low rating, the film deserves no more. With neither comedic flair nor romantic warmth, "Couples Retreat" is as cheesy and unoriginal as movies come. And that I can't forgive.

Pros Vince Vaughn shines as the lone bright spot.

Cons "Couples Retreat" lacks both comedy and romance.