Review in a Hurry: Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson are wildly attractive treasure hunters in the middle of a divorce, thrown back together for one last shot at a massive haul. This movie is a lot like going on vacation and only eating at chain restaurants: familiar and bland, despite the beautiful surroundings.
The Bigger Picture: Finn (McConaughey) has screwed up his marriage to Tess (Hudson) for the last time, sinking their boat and getting deep in debt with a rap mogul named Big Bunny (Evan Hart, making the best of a bad role). After dodging an attempt on his life, he's even late to their divorce, and she walks away from him for good. Then they both start the painful process of rebuilding their lives.
Ha! No, just kidding. Through even more aquatic hijinks, Finn ends up on the yacht where Tess is working—owned by generic rich guy Nigel (Donald Sutherland, sporting a British-like accent), and his daughter, Gemma (Alexis Dziena), a Paris Hilton stand-in. Finn, with Tess' grudging help, convinces Nigel that a treasure hunt is just the kind of father-daughter bonding he should invest in.
But Big Bunny isn't finished searching for the treasure, and he hires Finn's former mentor (Ray Winstone, in what's basically a cameo) to get it. And they're off. Sort of.
This race for the gold allows plenty of time for scuba lessons, tanning and the gradual reignition of Tess and Finn's romance. Even when someone dies, it doesn't up the tension much—we're pretty sure no harm will come to one of the leads, even when they have guns to their heads. The screenwriters seem to be going for the comic mayhem perfected by Carl Hiaasen, but that's a far rarer prize, and one that remains out of reach.
The 180—a Second Opinion: It's no chore to watch McConaughey and Hudson. Seriously. Their abs should get mentioned in the end credits. Along with lots of skin, they show charisma and charm, which makes up for some of the weaker moments in the script.