Director-screenwriter Robert Ingraham captures the complications of family and religion in his comedy-drama, Premarital. It is five days before Sophie Whitaker (Kelley Jakle) and Alan Rhodes’ (Mark Hapka) wedding, and Pastor Stewart (Jim O’Heir) is shocked to learn his son-in-law is not a Christian. He develops a plan to convert him before the wedding. His methods include philosophical discussions of religious beliefs, and gifting him The Inferno by Dante Alighieri. Stewart suspects that Alan is either a Calvinist or an atheist based on their conversations. Sophie is not honest with her fiancé because she avoids conflict and keeps her family’s hypocritical behavior under wraps.
Alan witnesses each family member’s quirks and secrets. Stewart’s wife, Patricia (Meredith Thomas), is in an open relationship with a rival pastor, Bruce (Steve Hanks). Leah (Isabelle Muthiah) is hiding her pregnancy from everyone, including her boyfriend, Benji (Jack Welshons). Jared (Cameron Cowperthwaite) struggles with seminary school, and his wife, Mae (Cathy Shim), writes his essays for him.
The other siblings have their own issues. Grace (Abby Pierce) has a strained relationship with the church and views it as patriarchal, while Clark (Igby Rigney) keeps his homosexuality a secret. When Stewart’s methods fail, Patricia suggests that Bruce’s unorthodox approach can help Alan convert during the wedding rehearsal. The rehearsal goes to hell when Bruce’s bizarre sermon exposes everyone’s sins.
“…Pastor Stewart…is shocked to learn his son-in-law is not a Christian. He develops a plan to convert him before the wedding. ”
Premarital is a strong directorial debut from Robert Ingraham. His background as a cinematographer gives him an edge. The film avoids flat lighting typically associated with comedies, and keep an eye out for some gorgeous shots filmed at dusk. Ingraham pushes his cast to give authentic performances; these characters feel genuine. The strongest performances come from Isabelle Muthiah and Meredith Thomas. All the subplots mentioned are carefully balanced and have strong emotional payoffs.
Ingraham and his co-screenwriter, Margaret Bienert, create a balanced tone with a mixture of witty dialogue, realistic drama, and exaggerated comedic beats. Cutaway gags and flashbacks add a nice punch! These jokes shine during Patricia’s scenes. This tonal symphony comes together in the film’s emotionally visceral climax. Additionally, this scene is elevated with ironic one-liners. Corey Bienert’s composed editing style keeps the mixture of tones on track.
Robert Ingraham’s film is also successful in handling social issues. Various subjects are portrayed tastefully, such as divorce and abortion. These topics are addressed in relation to the character’s inner conflicts and intelligently connect with the film’s religious themes. On an allegorical level, Ingraham could be dissecting America’s challenges of holding onto its Christian values in a world where secularism and other religions dominate. Premarital is a refreshing comedy that will touch audiences through its excellent cast, humorous storyline, and mature subject matter.
"…Stewart’s wife, Patricia…is in an open relationship with a rival pastor, Bruce…"
