‘I Really Love My Husband’ Review: Unconvincing Dramedy on Marital Troubles Doesn’t Say Much About Relationships

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In “I Really Love My Husband,” GG Hawkins’ initial attempt as a writer-director, Teresa (Madison Lanesey) frequently expresses her deep love for her husband to others. However, these declarations seem more like attempts to convince herself that her feelings are genuine rather than heartfelt expressions. From the early comedic-dramatic scenes that lacked both humor and emotional depth, it becomes apparent that Teresa might not truly be in love with Drew (Travis Quentin Young). This is suggested by the fact that she appears to be irritated with him more often than not. For instance, she’s found on her wedding day engaged in a lengthy phone conversation with someone who seems to be an ex, excessively gushing about her husband’s virtues.

During their flight to their romantic honeymoon in picturesque Bocas del Toro, Panama, we witness the unusual dynamics between the seemingly content couple. Drew is tirelessly cheerful, while Teresa appears noticeably edgy. A tense incident involving a fellow passenger’s life-threatening nut allergy momentarily casts suspicion on Teresa – was it her Keto bar that triggered the emergency? However, when Drew selflessly steps in to take some of the blame, this act of kindness pushes Teresa over the edge. Can’t he just tone down his excessive niceness sometimes?

As we get to know the couple better, it’s understandable why Teresa may feel skeptical in certain aspects – even though Drew seems well-intentioned, nobody wants to appear as if they’re constantly playing the role of the ‘relative bad guy’ when their partner receives all the goodwill, often leaving their own spouse feeling sidelined. However, it’s puzzling why Teresa seems to be falling apart during their honeymoon, especially since their trip isn’t right after their wedding. They’ve been married for a whole year already, and this is their chance to truly celebrate their union.

Despite portraying a seemingly legitimate couple who’ve been married for a year, the events following their flight become progressively testing on one’s tolerance due to Teresa’s harsh treatment towards Drew. While it’s important to remember that we should not pass judgment, every individual—whether in real life or movies—has room for personal growth and self-discovery at any age. However, the film leaves you questioning whether it remains impartial towards Teresa as she attempts to rejuvenate her marriage with Drew, eventually leading to a dramatic outburst where she confesses her true feelings. In some instances, I found myself wishing that the script had given Teresa more of the sympathetic moments it afforded to Drew.

The movie briefly increases its intensity when introducing Paz, an intriguing character played by Arta Gee who manages the couple’s vacation rental. A spark develops among the three, though Hawkins could have developed this connection more. Teresa proposes to Drew, “What if we tried to attract Paz?”, and eventually, they do share a satisfying threesome. This scene, titled “I Really Love My Husband,” neither shows nor passes judgment on. Unfortunately, this adventure turns out to be a diversion instead of a resolution to their underlying issues. Despite their attempts, Teresa and Drew simply don’t mesh well. Spending time with “I Really Love My Husband,” even with its brief 79-minute runtime, becomes tedious, despite the scenic locations (although the film’s digital aesthetic doesn’t fully capture them) and dedicated cast. Notable performances include Lisa Jacqueline Starrett, who charms as a former reality TV star and Paz’s friend, though the story fails to utilize her effectively.

The primary concern with “I Really Love My Husband” lies in its contrived scenario, which requires us to accept that characters as progressive and self-aware as the film’s lead couple would enter into marriage and monogamy due to societal expectations rather than personal desire. This might be stretching credibility a bit too far in today’s self-care focused era. Granted, unhappy marriages do occur across generations from Gen X to Gen Z. Furthermore, it’s not unreasonable for individuals to acknowledge that their needs may change over time, even within the first year of marriage. However, “I Really Love My Husband” leaves no doubt that Teresa has always felt somewhat confined in her domestic life, questioning whether she truly loved Drew since they began dating. Consequently, it’s unclear why Teresa chose to remain married and the film fails to provide compelling reasons for us to continue questioning their relationship.

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2025-03-14 05:46