Introduction
The rom-com Kuwait Honeymoonish is a film set to release in 2024. It stirred major controversy on social media for its attempt at blending the classic rom-coms with locally specific themes intrinsic to the Middle East. Directed by Elie El-Semaan, a Lebanese filmmaker, and with the screenplay penned by Eiad Saleh, it features two opposites who hastily step into a marriage of convenience, only to discover that love might blossom from their rushed union.
The landscape of the beautiful hills of Lebanon, alongside their Kuwaiti social customs, shape Honeymoonish into a love story as well as a cultural critique. This film marks a significant addition to the Arab world’s cinematic offerings on international streaming platforms, especially because of its appeal to local and foreign audiences. The balance between modern love and the influence of tradition, as well as the comedic yet emotional struggles of newlywed life, adds dramatic value to the film.
Plot Summary
The story focuses on Noor, an impetuous and ardent fitness instructor played by Nour Al Ghandour. Noor is in emotional turmoil when she finds out that her long time boyfriend, Youssef, married another woman without telling her. Heartbroken and compelled to move on, she decides to marry the first man that comes her way. This leads her to Hamad, a conservative and emotionally detached financial analyst character played by Mahmoud Boushahri.
Hamad also has his own issues. His affluent and old-fashioned father puts immense pressure on Hamad to marry and have a child within a ridiculously short time span. These conditions come with the threat of losing a vast inheritance, which puts Hamad in a peculiar position. When Noor and Hamad meet through mutual acquaintances, they seize the opportunity to strike a deal: a swift marriage to eliminate both of their concerns.
“Why did they choose Lebanon of all places as a honeymoon destination?” Honeymoonish thinks of this early on but does not provide an answer frequently asked by the movie audience. They do attempt to address this question later towards the climax, but that’s too little too late. Speaking of romances and kids, this is not a romcom nor does it venture into romantic waters. It stays firmly in the realm of absurdist humor, and excels when audiences least expect it to.
What makes it all the more chaotic for the conflict is the difference between Noor and Hamad, who chose to go on a honeymoon with their partner. The former is spontaneous, emotional, or to put it more simply, loud. The latter is reserved and for the most part, controlled. It helps to explain why they had to stand up to so many personal identities that rubbed them the wrong way. Issues with self identity aside, it’s still hard not to give in to full fledged nutcase mode when confronting screaming, energetic partners with a penchant for demanding unionization whenever necessary.
Then comes along the wildest absurdism of them all, the idea that they might be milk siblings. Their ‘marriage’, if you could call it that, was already shaky at best so this new concept posed by them really gives the idea an unholy amount of our favorite style of sense. And it doesn’t take long to explain why. Rather than simply straying too far, let us visit our fairly plausible milk siblings concept. According to Muslim lore (or should I say canon), a set of rules creates the chaos and conflicts of intimacy imbued by peoples over imagination, and so does hijab, creating a sense of Islamic sensibility whenever we feel like dealing with it, defines a lutgun of a novel.
What starts out as a plot of two people coming together for convenience turns out to blossom into an emotional bond. While Hamad and Noor try to open themselves up to each other past first impressions and stereotypes, they find themselves battling questions internally: Can one truly fall in love with someone who at first would seem all wrong?
Characters and Cast
Nour Al Ghandour as Noor: Al Ghandour plays the main role of the film, especially as she’s medicine but with an edge. Portraying a figure who is passionate, spontaneous, reckless but deeply broken because of her relationship, Al Ghandour soars by blending comedic timing with emotional vulnerability.
Mahmoud Boushahri as Hamad: For Al Ghandour to thrive, Boushahri gets a chance to also shine as Noor’s exact opposite. Incredibly capturing the struggle of a man stuck between tradition and modernity, Boushahri blows audiences away with his cold yet warm character Hamad. Interestingly enough, the development of this character throughout the film—starting as cold and decently warm and then morphing into freezing open water—was arguably the best part of the film.
Ascia Al Faraj as Amal: Noor’s sharp and level-headed friend acting as a supportive confidant. Reasoning throughout the film is provided by Amal who is witty and grounded. Ascia’s work on the character brings a sharp contemporary attitude to the male worn dynamics of the film and provides stunning counterpoint to the traditional elements.
Additionally, Mahdi As Wael: Hamad’s volatile companion and Amal’s husband. His attempt at mediating conflicts between the two helps bring balance to the group. He is also one of the reasons why the group is more humorous.
Faisal Almezel as Youssef: The character of Yusuf is the ex-lover who’s betrayal caused everything to fall apart. He may not have significant air time but, his shadow is heavily present during Noor’s emotional evolution.
The Direction, One-Take Cinema and The Stereo Soundtrack
Elie El Semaan is best known for his work in Lebanese television and film. He provides a light, humorous, yet sincere take to Honeymoonish. For each of the characters, their culture and emotional development unfolds in such a way where it does not feel forced, overacted and overly dramatic. For Weddah, he stayed away from overly using rom-com cliches and instead opted for authentic touches of the region and their interpersonal relationships.
The cinematography showcases the wow factor of the Lebanon region focusing on its mountain resorts, cozy cafes, modern villas, etc. Such beauty enhances the romance in the film but takes the viewer on a dreamy journey away from the character’s personal struggles.
The music provides a great mix of contemporary Arab pop art infused with orchestral tone of romance. It heightens emotional beats without overdoing it, thus not makes it overly dramatic. This music crescendos with Noor and Hamad’s evolving journey while also dousing the moments infused with intimacy and conflict.
Cultural Significance and Themes
Antithetical Conflict
At first glance, Honeymoonish looks like a typical “opposites attract” romcom. Hamad and Noor, and their value systems as well as their personalities, could not be more different. The film does well in utilizing the tension between them to analyze the ways in which miscommunication and assumptions affect relationships.
The Role of Custom
Cultural boundaries are also important aspects of the film. From the rushing of marriage to the religious concept of being milk siblings, the film demonstrates, like most Arab traditions, how deeply custom affects personal choices within one’s family. Such issues are bound to attract both laughter and sensitivity, a remarkable combination of ridicule and respect.
Women’s Rights
Noor is a great example of a powerful female character with an active voice, unafraid to make even rash choices. The film does not show her emotional vulnerability as weakness, which is a rare approach. Unlike most films in this genre that suffer from a lack of multi-dimensional female leads, the film encases Noor in an independent narrative that allows for her growth without forfeiting her individuality.
Reception
The reactions of the audience towards Honeymoonish were mixed, to say the least. Some critics praised the movie as a contemporary take on Arab romance which considers the changing relations of gender roles and traditions in the region. Others felt that the movie focused too heavily on comedy arising from miscommunication and lacked originality in the story. Regardless, all agreed that the film’s strongest aspect was in its performances and the refreshing and effortless chemistry that the lead characters shared.
Honeymoonish might not revolutionize the rom-com genre, however, it does excel in heart, humor, and cultural flair. This sets it apart from the rest in the saturated market of romantic comedies.
Conclusion
From the reviews, Honeymoonish is a wonderful and culturally infused romantic comedy that delves into the nuances of love, traditions, and the conflicted identities people possess. The film works perfectly with Nour Al Ghandour and Mahmoud Boushahri who carry it with their standout performances filled with both laughter and emotional depth. This showcases how love is a global concept, yet can still be told using local narratives.
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