‘Crumb Catcher’ Review: The Honeymoon’s Over Before It Starts in Black-Comedy Thriller

As a seasoned film enthusiast with a particular penchant for the darker corners of cinema, I’ve seen my fair share of home-invasion thrillers and twisted comedies. But Chris Skotchdopole’s directorial debut, “Crumb Catcher,” manages to stand out from the pack in its vividly unpleasant portrayal of a honeymoon gone horribly wrong.

Fifty-four years ago, Mario Bava’s horror film “Hatchet for the Honeymoon” presented a disturbing prelude to matrimony. In contrast, Chris Skotchdopole’s directorial debut, “Crumb Catcher,” offers an equally unappetizing start to wedded bliss. This blend of home invasion thriller and dark comedy introduces us to a newlywed couple whose nerves are already frayed. Their night takes a turn for the worse when unexpected guests arrive, escalating their troubles significantly. If you’re up for enduring the company of these bickering, irritating characters for almost two hours, there are rewards waiting in the form of a cleverly crafted, suspenseful tale filled with surprising twists. “Crumb Catcher” hits limited U.S. theaters on July 19.

I’ve had the pleasure of observing Shane (Rigo Garay) and Leah (Ella Rae Peck) together after their wedding. At first glance, they might not seem like a perfect match. Shane seems uneasy in the luxurious setting, possibly due to the expensive wedding arrangements that Leah’s parents have put together. As for Leah, she often interrupts and corrects Shane’s words.

When Shane’s newly crowned mother-in-law disregards him – an occurrence likely not new to him – he storms off in anger, only to awaken the next day still wearing his tuxedo and nursing a hangover, with few memories of the intervening hours. The annoyed bride insists they leave for their honeymoon at an upscale borrowed vacation home in the countryside. The already strained atmosphere is further heightened when Shane voices concerns about their five-year labor of love, a deeply personal memoir, potentially causing distress among family members. Career-focused Leah dismisses his arguments. However, her concern shifts when she notices a car parked outside.

In an unexpected appearance at this secluded place shows up John (John Speredakos), a formerly annoying waiter from the previous day’s grand occasion. He claims to have come along to deliver their overdue wedding cake. However, disregarding their clear irritation, he refuses to depart, instead launching into a lengthy sales pitch and veiled threats, accompanied by his equally pushy and unpleasant wife Rose (Lorraine Farris). Initially, she remained in the car parked outside, and had also been present at the wedding.

In this movie, there’s a duo of bungling con artists who are so over-the-top theatrical, they could be auditioning for a community theater production of the roguish characters Tim Curry and Bernadette Peters portrayed in the initial adaptation of “Annie” as a musical. But don’t be fooled by their flashy attire; the sun won’t rise on a bright tomorrow for them. Instead, we’re in for a long, dark night filled with veiled threats and an unsettling sense of unease that eventually spirals into violence.

The actors, who have worked with producer Larry Fessenden before, deliver decent performances, yet the conflicting relationships between their characters fail to develop further as “Crumb Catcher” progresses. This dark short could have effectively explored its concept given its length. However, Skotchdopole’s direction manages to keep the audience engaged with sufficient tension and complexities in the script. There’s a hint of emotion towards the end when the two couples’ feud escalates into a dangerous car chase on winding country roads. Although we don’t particularly care for these generally unappealing characters, their transformation into a chaotic shootout elicits a sense of sadness.

Filmed in New York’s Hudson Valley, this movie skillfully uses limited resources to create tension-filled scenes. Although there is little physical action until the last 20 minutes, the intricate psychological conflicts keep you engaged. The main setting, a modern country house with contemporary art, adds an appealing backdrop that highlights the characters’ class distinctions. Despite its entertainingly dark themes, “Crumb Catcher” doesn’t delve deep or offer profound insights into the current state of the American Dream as claimed in its Director’s Statement.

2024-07-19 04:46

‘Crumb Catcher’ Review: The Honeymoon’s Over Before It Starts in Black-Comedy Thriller

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