In more sophisticated hands, this script could’ve taken a smart, cautionary tale turn about what two people are willing to do for money. Better yet, Jack and Joy could learn a thing or two about what makes a marriage relationship work. But instead all the viewer gets is a bunch of half-baked hijinks and the predictable rom-com formula without much in the way of romance or comedy.
It’s not that Kutcher and Diaz don’t give it their best shot comedically, it’s that they just don’t have much to work with that’s funny in the first place. In fact, all the even remotely clever lines have been relegated to their oddly named friends, Hater (
Rob Corddry) and Tipper (
Lake Bell), proving that
What Happens in Vegas should’ve just stayed in Vegas because there’s no redemptive value to this story in the real world.
CAUTIONS:
- Drugs/Alcohol: There’s rarely a scene without some serious alcohol consumption. Several times, Jack and Joy are swilling champagne straight from the bottle. And on the night that kick-starts the story, they’re seriously inebriated. Weed is also referenced, and at one point, Jack sneaks caffeine pills into Joy’s smoothie, making her hyper, and then, exceedingly agitated.
- Language/Profanity: There’s a constant stream of profanity, including instances where the Lord’s name is taken in vain and rude middle-finger gestures.
- Sex/Nudity: Much like Made of Honor, the movie seriously pushes the limits of the PG-13 rating in the sex and double entendre department. While Jim and Joy’s lone sexual encounter is covered by a bed sheet and then shown again in a quick montage, the constant crude sex talk that involves everything from sexual role play to masturbation to commentary on specific body parts is what’s most disturbing. Also in an off-camera shot, Joy exposes her breast to the taxi driver so she can beat Jack to their mandatory counseling session. And she, along with all the Vegas girls and her friend Tipper are often shown in only bra and panties or skimpy attire.
- Violence/Gore: Only of the comedic variety.