Netflix’s latest Spanish comedy-drama, Honeymoon with My Mother sure does miss the target and, falls way out of the periphery of dramedy. Directed by Paco Caballero, the film stars Quim Gutiérrez, Carmen Machi in the lead roles with a supporting cast that includes Justina Bustos, Andrés Velencoso, Dominique Guillo, Yolanda Ramos and several others. The runtime of the film is 110 minutes.
– Netflix’s Honeymoon with My Mother Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
Honeymoon with My Mother: How long will cliches last?
It is not new to see streaming platforms releasing films that are not only predictably but, boringly long but, also rely a lot on the cliches that might have worked to charm the audiences at some point of time in history. Netflix’s Honeymoon with My Mother is a perfect example of a dramedy which does nothing much, apart from trusting the ropes of cliched comedy and, bizarre, off-putting drama.
The film beings with our protagonist José Luís being left at the altar. His wedding is paid for upfront and, so is the honeymoon package. Although Jose Luis and, his mother, Mari Carmen, try to work out a deal to get a refund from the travel agent for the honeymoon, they are unsuccessful. They decide to go on this honeymoon trip together because, not only is the trip paid for in advance and, is inclusive of everything, the destination is Mauritius and, it is a rather luxurious tropical resort the two are entitled to stay in. Thus, starts the story of Jose Luis going on a honeymoon with his mother.
The story reinvents itself by putting in deals such as Jose and his mother, Mari pretending to be a married couple to enjoy the free activities listed only for couples and, also introducing two potential romantic interests, that sway both Jose and Mari in different tunes to enjoy their life. However, what makes the core of this movie is the journey the son and mother take and, the interpersonal conflicts that arise and, solutions that help them grow closer.
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Honeymoon with My Mother essentially wants to give out the message that mothers are really the one true love of our lives. But, with so many sub-plots unfolding and, gigs that don’t land right, it becomes difficult for the audiences not only to understand what the film wants to convey but, also hard for the viewers to stay with the film and, not feel bored. Irrespective of the film being shot in such a beautiful and exotic location, the cinematography does nothing much either to hold our interests.
The performances are too lacklustre and, maybe it is only towards the end where Quim Gutiérrez and Carmen Machi have that one deep conversation do you find yourself moved a little. A very big disappointment is how the comedy does not hit you at all and, it will be hard enough for anyone to generate a laugh out of this piece of cinema.
Honeymoon with My Mother: Final Verdict
Overall, Honeymoon with My Mother did have the potential to stand out. With its storyline, there could have been less bickering by the mother and annoyance by the son and, rather a teasing, comical exchange between our two main characters. The film just really gets on your nerves with the lost comedic element as it feels just an irritating interpersonal relationship being mended at its own will to fit the arc of a happy ending without deep characters and reflections. This Spanish comedy-drama is a wise skip if you don’t feel like investing in something that will do you nothing by the end.
For the ones who are earnest to watch it, Honeymoon with My Mother is streaming now on Netflix.