"The Honeymoon Killers" is a grim treat about a smooth-talking man who swindles women out of their savings after meeting them through a "lonelyhearts" column. When he meets up with a severe but emotionally vulnerable woman, their love affair gives birth to a partnership that soon spirals out of control into madness and murder. Filmed in claustrophobic black and white in a way that resembles "Night of the Living Dead", the film may catch you off guard with the way it presents murder in a non-glamorous fashion, instead giving us villains who are repulsed by the reality of what they are doing. In this regard it predates "Last House On The Left", and although it doesn't go so far over the top with its violence, the tone is still the same.
Shirley Stoler and Tony LoBianco are crucial in the roles of Martha and Raymond. Raymond is somewhat one-dimensional throughout the film, portrayed as a manipulative gigolo who is otherwise unaware of much else; but Martha is a vortex of negative energy, neurosis, and pathological emotion. John Waters and Glenn Milstead had to have taken some inspiration from Shirley Stoler in the creation of "Divine", and Waters' film "Multiple Maniacs" echoes the cheap (but glorious) absence of color in this film. The violence is minimal but shocking, and one sequence is nearly unbearable as Martha and Raymond find one of their deceptions slowly unraveling and ultimately resort to a gruesome murder to save their own skins.
Shirley Stoler is outrageous and yet compelling in the role of Martha, bellowing in rage at her potential victims and desperate to cling to the relationship she shares with Raymond, the closest thing to love that she has ever known. Although the film's dialogue often crosses over into camp (like Stoler snapping in disgust to one of her victims "You're the hottest bitch I've ever seen!"), the movie also comes off as starkly realistic at times, especially in the depiction of Martha's character.
Frightening for reasons that may take you by surprise, "The Honeymoon Killers" is a unique experience that isn't easily forgotten.
Shirley Stoler and Tony LoBianco are crucial in the roles of Martha and Raymond. Raymond is somewhat one-dimensional throughout the film, portrayed as a manipulative gigolo who is otherwise unaware of much else; but Martha is a vortex of negative energy, neurosis, and pathological emotion. John Waters and Glenn Milstead had to have taken some inspiration from Shirley Stoler in the creation of "Divine", and Waters' film "Multiple Maniacs" echoes the cheap (but glorious) absence of color in this film. The violence is minimal but shocking, and one sequence is nearly unbearable as Martha and Raymond find one of their deceptions slowly unraveling and ultimately resort to a gruesome murder to save their own skins.
Shirley Stoler is outrageous and yet compelling in the role of Martha, bellowing in rage at her potential victims and desperate to cling to the relationship she shares with Raymond, the closest thing to love that she has ever known. Although the film's dialogue often crosses over into camp (like Stoler snapping in disgust to one of her victims "You're the hottest bitch I've ever seen!"), the movie also comes off as starkly realistic at times, especially in the depiction of Martha's character.
Frightening for reasons that may take you by surprise, "The Honeymoon Killers" is a unique experience that isn't easily forgotten.