Marriage Retreat (2011)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

If I were not a Christian I think I would give this movie a low score just because I was against the Christian message, because before I was a Christian that was my attitude about anything and everything that tried to tell me Jesus was the answer for anything.But, by God's incredible love and grace I am a Christian now, and I'm giving it a 10.I watch a lot of Christian films. There are not very many that have the surprise factors that I found in this one, and besides, it was just plain interesting, with really great actors that are fun to watch. I never knew what was going to happen next, and it was sweet.

This film is a sin. Not a sin against Christianity, but rather a sin against filmmaking in general. There isn't an ounce of comedy in this 'comedy' unless you consider tired jokes done over and over in films 15 years ago hilarious. Also, when you make a movie that appeals to only one demographic, don't mask it in the disguise of a film directed towards another demographic. This is nothing like Couple's Retreat and it borders on deceit marketing it as such. This is a downright awful film, and everyone in it will make a ton of money because it is marketed to a crowd starved for good cinema or anything remotely humorous and still spiritual. These 'film makers' should be ashamed of themselves.

If you're looking for the next cheesy Christian movie you got it here - 1970 bam-chicka- bow-wow music and all. The idea of making a movie focusing on a Christ-centered marriage is encouraging but this movie only skims the surface of what a Christ-centered marriage looks and feels like. Obviously I am writing from my Christian perspective so this review is definitely biased. The writer(s) got one line right, from a biblical perspective, "When I am closer to Him, I will be closer to you." But little else about this movie delivers a "faith-based" message, or a picture of biblical marriage, let alone a Christ-filled lifestyle. One of the characters has a gambling addiction that he "beats" by simply pulling out the plug on an old school monitor. Do the writers know anything about addictions? Many non-Christians forgive, put themselves second in their marriage, give their husbands 51% of the vote, and protect and encourage their wives. What this movie fails to do is point out what is different about a Christ-centered marriage which is...drum roll..Christ. Who I am and how I act in my marriage, the decisions I make, the support and care for my husband and family all come from Christ as an outpouring of His love and forgiveness of me. I am imperfect and continue to sin but the ONLY reason I strive to selflessly serve my husband is because I choose to serve Christ first and Christ calls me to be submissive even when my husband is not showing love for/toward me - that is a Christ-centered marriage. I was excited to see this "faith-based" movie but what I experienced was a watered down, lukewarm message which, unfortunately, will take this film nowhere. If this movie were NOT marketed as a faith-based movie, I would have through the writers to be bold but to market this as a faith-based movie is simply the sad reflection of how so many see Christianity. Then again, these days, two lines about "Him" and a single prayer would have offend some therefore, my guess is, the writers can't win. Then again, I sure wish they would have offend rather than sold out. This film is an example of why Christians get such a bad rap. I was hopeful that the writers would have been bold and speak truth! People may not agree with your perspective but at least they will respect it. There were countless missed opportunities to share Christ in this movie. What a disappointment.On the other hand, the acting was pretty good. That and the vague attempt to share Christ were the on two redeeming qualities of this film. There are worse ways to spend and evening but hopefully this will set your expectations accordingly.

Born-again Christianity and good cinema, while not necessarily mutually exclusive, generally aren't seen in the same zip code. People don't go to movies to be preached at. We go to movies because we want, and need good stories. Movies like Amazing Grace, Bella, and Ben-Hur are great stores, great movies, and have positive Christian themes. Unfortunately, a lot evangelical movies tend to be rather ham-fisted and "preachy." To appeal to a wider audience, you have to take into account the fact that most of the audience have foundational assumptions that might not include a Christian worldview. Marriage Retreat doesn't do that.Of course there will always be people that decide to hate a Christian movie on general principle and spin it by critiquing something else other than the message (which is ultimately what offends them).Marriage Retreat isn't a bad movie. It's got a reasonably good plot, some decent jokes, and it's nice to sit down and watch something that doesn't have a slew of F-bombs and crass sexual innuendos. Unfortunately, it won't spark much of an interest outside of the young-marrieds group at the local mega church.