Encontro de Casais

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.

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.

Jeff Fahey, (Lost, Machete) Reginald Vel Johnson (Family Matters, Die Hard) and Victoria Jackson (Saturday Night Live, Baby Boom) star in this funny, heartfelt story about the difficulties many marriages face and the simple solution.

David A. R. White (In The Blink of an Eye, Hidden Secrets) and Andrea Logan White (Sarah's Choice) lead a trio of unhappily married couples to a mountain retreat where they are subjected to unorthodox and seemingly comical methods by the Dr. Sullivan (FAHEY) and his wife Katrina (JACKSON). As the couples struggle through the program for marital bliss, they soon discover it's not "What" they are missing from their lives but "Who", Jesus.

**DECENTLY GOOD MOVIE TO RESTORE FAITH**

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.

Yeah, there are some things that could have been done better....BUT EVERY MOVIE can improve.

I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Being a Christian and active in the Church these are real things...real issues. I am also a Military wife and have been on marriage retreats.....so this is Christianity...Marriage....REAL. It is a Christian Movie, so if you are looking for non- traditional family friendly, full of cussing, then this isn't the movie for you. BUT, if you are looking for a lighthearted movie that will remind you of the meaning of marriage, then this movie is great.