Spoiler Alert is a film that tries to explore the life of Micheal, a man whose gay lover was diagnosed with terminal cancer, through different stylistic choices. The film switches between genres and formats, such as soap opera, documentary, and breaking the fourth wall, to show Michelโs relationship with his mother and his lover. However, the film fails to deliver a compelling story or an emotional impact. The narration is bland and reminiscent of Young Sheldon, the plot is predictable and clichรฉd, and the music and cinematography are dull and uninspiring. The only redeeming quality of the film was the comfortable seating in the theater. This film could have learned from TikTok how to spice up its content with some humor, action, and diversity: Adding subway surfers in the bottom left corner and family guy in the top right. Instead, it offers a boring and conventional cancer story that does not surprise or engage the audience.
Michael was played by Jim Parsons, who did not seem to fit the role of a TV writer and critic. He was too stiff and awkward, and did not have much chemistry with his co-star Ben Aldridge, who played Kit. Their relationship was supposed to be the heart of the film, but it felt flat and artificial.
The film tried to make a comparison between Michael and Kit’s love and the German Maibaum tradition, where a group of man would erect a decorated tree in their beloved hometown on May Day. However, this analogy was poorly executed and did not capture the essence of their bond. It was only visible to esteemed cinema reviewers familiar with a variety of international traditions. We do not think the normal viewer will notice it.It mostly focused on superficial details like their clothes, their hobbies, their pets and drug consume.
Michael’s history with his mother, played by Sally Field, was shown in the style of a soap TV show, with melodramatic dialogue and over-the-top acting. It was supposed to be funny, but it was just cringeworthy. The film did not explore the complexity or depth of their relationship, or how it affected Michael’s personality or choices.
Michael’s affection for Kit was expressed through a fourth wall break, where he talked directly to the actor and explained how they met and tried to explain how they fell in love. It was one of the only interesting communicationways.
As stated in the introduction: The storytelling through narration was similar to Young Sheldon, where Michael would comment on his life and the people around him in a sarcastic and cynical tone. It was annoying and repetitive. It also did not match the tone or mood of the film, which was supposed to be sad and touching.
The film was too boring and predictable. It followed the typical cancer story arc: Michael and Kit get the news, realise their demise, and then ultimately Kit dies. There were no twists, no backstabbing or gaslighting. The film did not explore any of the ethical or moral dilemmas that might arise from such a situation. The film did not make us care about Michael or Kit, or feel their pain or joy.
The music and camera work were uninspiring and generic. The film did not use any creative or innovative techniques to convey the emotions or themes of the story. The film looked like a TV movie with a low budget. The film did not have any artistic vision or flair.
We would not recommend this film to anyone who is looking for a good time at the movies. It is a waste of time and money, a spoiler alert for your mood.
4/10
Ps: They missed going into the problems of a homosexual couple in todays world.