‘Honeyjoon’ and the Complexities of Life
Ayden Mayeri, Amira Casar, and José Condessa in Honeyjoon | Credit: Wonder Maria Filmes, Bärli Films
Mother and daugher Lela (Amira Casar) and June (Ayden Mayeri) travel to the Azores after a significant loss, and go on a journey of grief, joy, adventure, and self-discovery.
Honeyjoon is such a joy to watch. This is one of those films that understands how to mix complex, human emotions together in an way that doesn’t feel muddled. Throughout the film, there are moments that are filled with both joy and grief simultaneously, ushering the audience into the complex reality of what it means to be human. Sometimes there are nice transitions between moments of grief and moments of joy, but other times, there are hard cuts, allowing us to experience the emotional whiplash that is so true to life. And each of these choices is beautifully timed as we continue to learn more about these characters and what they’re going through.
This film is also absolutely gorgeous! It was filmed in the Azores and features some stunning moments, revealing that this really is paradise. And yet, against this beautiful backdrop, with honeymooners all around them, Lela and June are processing through some really difficult emotions. That juxtaposition leads to some really fantastic moments of humor and connection between this mother and daughter.
Lela and June couldn’t be more different from each other, which helps make this film so interesting. These two characters are so well-developed that they feel like real people, not characters on the screen. They have conflict with one another, but their every interaction is rooted in love. Though they don’t see eye-to-eye on anything in this film, they continue to try to reach out to the other in their own way, which feels so human. We might not always see the world the same as our loved ones—especially in moments of grief and loss—but we continue to move forward together, trying to meet them where they’re at.
Honeyjoon is a beautiful and human film about the complexities of life and the difficult emotions we experience. It’s a really funny film that doesn’t shy away from the hard parts of life either. And it’s filled with so many themes and layers that reward multiple viewings.
If Honeyjoon is playing at a film festival near you, make time to check it out. It’s definitely worth it!