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Ronnie and Dave (Malin Akerman and Chicago’s Vince Vaughn) get some romance tips from Marcel (Jean Reno) at a tropical resort in the romantic comedy “Couples Retreat.” |
Hollywood must really have it in for Buffalo Grove.
How else to explain why the Northwest suburb has been used as the setting for two inane and intelligence-abusing romantic comedies so far in 2009?
The pathetically trite and cliched “I Love You Beth Cooper,” based on Buffalo Grove High School grad Larry Doyle’s comic novel, changed the name to Buffalo Glen, which at least spared the community direct embarrassment.
Now comes “Couples Retreat,” a promising comedy that utterly squanders its opportunity to say something meaningful and truthful about marriage and commitment.
Instead, it settles for being one giant product placement for Guitar Hero video games and Applebee’s restaurants.
Although partially shot in Buffalo Grove earlier this year, “Couples Retreat” never identifies the village. However, Jon Favreau’s high school coach, Joey, wears a Buffalo Grove shirt in an early scene. (Later, Jason Bateman wears a Northwestern University shirt.)
Panachelessly directed by Peter Billingsley (yes, the guy who played little Ralphie in Bob Clark’s classic comedy “A Christmas Story”), “Couples Retreat” introduces us to four unhappy couples whom no emotionally well-adjusted person would want to spend time with, let alone pay admission to watch. (Read more…)