ARROW FRIGHTFEST (digital): The Honeymoon Phase
ARROW FRIGHTFESTWhile Phillip G. Carroll Jr.’s The Honeymoon Phase conceptually fits within some modern storytelling trends, the final product doesn’t leave much of an impact. It’s Marriage Story-like, meeting the worst parts of Black Mirror's technological cynicism When Tom (Jim Schubin) and his girlfriend Eve (Chloe Carroll) fake being newly-weds to undertake a paid for 30-day science experiment for $50,000, the strength of their relationship is tested, with Eve slowly beginning to fear that Tom is no longer who he says he is.
At the very base level, The Honeymoon Phase at least has something to say about the horror of being confined in a toxic relationship. A very real and documented fear, which also translates well to a Covid-19 world. With a global increase in domestic abuse resulting from couples being forced to isolate with each other, The Honeymoon Phase feels topical. On top of this, an interesting meta aspect is that Phillip G. Carroll Jr. is newly married to his lead actress Chloe Carroll. It’s a first feature, and one that follows on from many shorts the two made as a couple. For the depths that the film goes to, one can only imagine the stress that comes with the personal nature of the storytelling.
While these are all positive points, ultimately, those interesting components surface in a mostly insincere reading of the themes. As a Gaslight-esque dynamic between the two main characters, there’s plenty of better films out there that achieve the same effect. The Invisible Man, for one, as a film that was released this year. The Honeymoon Phase is not a ‘bad’ film, but it does leave a lot to be desired. It feels like a first feature, not just because of the budget but also because of how much of the director is in the story. Sure, it’s a labor of love, but is that labour of love entertaining? It’s the cinematic equivalent of the audience third-wheeling. It has to be said – regardless of how cheaply the film was made – the set design feels incredibly ten years ago. It looks stale and uninspired, and that’s without acknowledging Tom’s similarly dated bowlcut.
The strengths of The Honeymoon Phase certainly feel more conceptual than practical. If you are happy to watch the equivalent of a middling episode of Black Mirror – which many probably would be – then it probably has something to give. Otherwise, just go ahead and rewatch the good ones.