Netflix introduces us to its latest offering from Kuwait, featuring stars Mahmoud Boushahri and Nour Al-Ghandour. While the film may not break new ground in the cinematic world, it endeavors to mirror the grandeur of Hollywood productions and concurrently showcase the tourism appeal of Lebanon. Despite its ambitious intentions, the end result falls somewhat short, presenting a lukewarm addition to both the worldwide cinema landscape and its specific genre.
The film, a romantic comedy, struggles to strike the right balance between romance and humor.
Plot Overview of “Honeymoonish”
The storyline follows a man obliged to marry to fulfill his father’s wishes (and secure his inheritance) and a woman desperate to tie the knot after her boyfriend marries someone else. Their story unfolds into a honeymoon riddled with complications, where truth is a rare commodity.
Characters: Hamad and Noor
A successful romantic comedy hinges on the audience’s ability to see themselves in the characters – they are usually nearly perfect, with their charm lying in their quirks. However, Hamad and Noor, as written, fail to resonate or endear themselves to the audience. The film attempts to forge a connection that never fully materializes, leaving the characters feeling distant.
The Actors: Mahmoud Boushahri and Nour Al-Ghandour
Both Boushahri and Al-Ghandour are undoubtedly attractive, bringing a visual appeal to their roles. However, constrained by the script, their efforts to inject humor through exaggerated expressions, gestures, and dialogue only go so far. It’s clear they are committed to their performances, but the material doesn’t allow their talent to fully shine.
Lebanon’s Portrayal
Primarily, “Honeymoonish” aims to cast Lebanon in a desirable, tourist-friendly light. While it’s undeniable that Lebanon has many wonderful aspects, the film’s overt emphasis on this objective detracts from the storyline and character development. The beautiful cinematography and breathtaking landscapes, while visually pleasing, may have been more fitting for a travel documentary than a feature film.
The Genre: Romantic Comedy
“Honeymoonish” sets out to be a light-hearted romantic comedy that also serves as a cinematic postcard for its locale. Compared to other entries in the genre, it lacks the originality and humor needed to make a lasting impression. It feels like a missed opportunity to explore the format creatively.
Our Takeaway
If you’ve come this far, it’s clear: “Honeymoonish” didn’t win us over. The film is so determined to fit the mold of a romantic comedy that it ends up feeling more like a marketing product than a cohesive, engaging narrative. Ultimately, it fails to deliver the humor or heartwarming moments one expects from the genre.
The movie emphasizes tourism in Lebanon not Kuwait.
We are going to fix this. Many thanks, Billy.