Review of Honeymooner

Fran should be newly-wed and on his honeymoon. Dumped by his fiancé a few weeks ago, instead he finds himself outside the comfort and excitement of a prospective marriage, and in a world peopled by predatory neighbours, the new boyfriend of his ex, potential dates, and (more-or-less) useless/helpful mates. On the one side there's Jon who seems in a worse state than Fran himself. Al Weaver plays the role with huge natural energy and impressive poise between comedy and despair. On the other side there's Ben (Chris Coghill) who is the more archetypal lad. The film is a well-observed look at the relationships and predicaments of a generation of people who are marrying later and a generation of men brought up to be more sensitive and struggling with that proposition. When Seema (Wunmi Mosaku), Fran's school-boy crush, turns up, unexpectedly, a delicate charm and grace is injected into Fran's world and the beginnings of a new romance seem to emerge. This is a charming and sensitive treatment of the question: what to do do when my expectations and plans for life suddenly evaporate? There are some especially lovely shots that turn the ordinary environment in something to savour and some elegant performances. And great soundtrack to boot.