The Invention of Lying vs. Couples Retreat

vs.

It’s nice to do a battle between two movies that actually look like they might have the potential to be funny.  There can be only one winner, however, so here we go…

Premise

Sure, having several couples go to a tropical island, then forcing them into activities, should be good enough for a few laughs.  But I’ve been burned before by a movie with Kristin Bell on a tropical island — it was called Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and while it was short on laughs, it was waaaay too high on male frontal nudity.  Couples Retreat already looks like it could be falling into the same trap.  On the other hand, The Invention of Lying gets plenty of points for creativity – can you imagine what you could do if everyone believed your lies?  You’d use it only for the powers of good, of course.  We just need to hope the premise doesn’t get old too quick.

Edge: The Invention of Lying

So like, what do politicians and lawyers DO in this alternate world?

Leading Man

Ahh, we have Jason Bateman bringing us back to Forgetting Sarah Marshall again!  His two movies (the other being Extract), coming out within almost a month of each other, have him with romantic interests in both Mila Kunis and then Kristin Bell, two much younger women and female stars of Sarah Marshall.  We can probably expect a solid performance from him.  Vince Vaughn needs desperately to get out of his post Wedding Crashers funk, with his last three starring roles coming in The Break-up, Fred Claus, and Four Christmases.  We can only be thankful that this isn’t a Christmas movie.  Still, I have to go with the guy that has nothing but funny (even if awkward and British) on his recent record: Ricky Gervais.  Between Extras, Ghosttown, and The Office, I doubt we’ll see him starring in a lame rom-com with Reese Witherspoon anytime soon.

Edge: The Invention of Lying

To make it with a mug like this, you KNOW he must be talented.

Leading Lady

The person who coined “quality over quantity” was not considering all options.  Quantity and Quality wins, and Couples Retreat definitely delivers on this.  We get Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis and Kali Hawk running around on a tropical island in what one could call “attractive attire.”  Sure, Jennifer Gardner can name the starting lineup for the Redsox (Pro- She likes sports.  Con- Poor choice of team) but she doesn’t stand a chance against the younger, hotter cast of Couples Retreat.  Yah, even with the help of Tina Fey.

Women so hot they could snag these guys

Edge: Couples Retreat

Preview

Call me old fashioned but I believe horror trailers should make me scared, action trailers should move me to the edge of my seat and comedy trailers should make me laugh.  Fortunately, one of these movies delivers and actually made me laugh- A LOT-  The Invention of Lying. It is obvious from his other work that Ricky Gervais is a master of both comical timing and mocking himself and he delivers fully on both of these.  Jennifer Gardner also plays her dimwitted and honest character perfectly and what we end up with is a rare beast indeed–  A movie trailer that actually makes you want to see the movie.

Couples Retreat on the other hand, gives us the same tired comedy that proves just how incestuous Hollywood really is.  Jokes that are not funny mixed in with raunchy jokes that are not funny just doesn’t do the trick.  And  that bit with the Yoga instructor?  I know no one actually saw Along Came Polly but really guys?  Just bad, and not funny.

Edge: The Invention of Lying

Winner: Invention of Lying