Review of Haunted Honeymoon (1986) by Jesse M — 13 Aug 2010

Once again, I fail to see why professional critics rail what is actually a very good film. Not only is it Gene Wilder's best directed film, but it's also one of his best acted. The cast is fantastic. The chemistry of real life couple Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner is very strong, you could tell they were having a lot of fun making this film. Then you've got the cross dressing, and always great Dom DeLuise as the crazy aunt. The very talented Jonathan Pryce as lecherous cousin Charlie. Bryan Pringle as the hilariously hard of hearing (and drunkard) family butler. The great Paul L. Smith as the psychiatrist uncle. And great British character actor Peter Vaughan as crazy Uncle Francis.

The mood, atmosphere, and look of the film is also very good. The pacing and writing of the plot is perfect, and the comedic timing of the many great actors just leads from one zany moment to the next. Unlike many comedies, that tend to be funny in parts, but lull in others, Haunted Honeymoon remains consistent, and strong, throughout. Not to mention that, as the title implies, the movie is also a bit of a spoof on horror and murder mystery films. The scene in the beginning, showing the inner workings of classic early 1900s radio drama (or in this case radio spook shows), is especially excellent.

All around, this film is, to me at least, one of the best Gene Wilder films of them all. It certainly deserves a higher score, and what's more, should be remembered for what it was: a fun, silly, yet tongue-in-cheek creepy piece of film, that was obvious a labor of love by Wilder and company.