‘The Contract’ (2024) Movie Review - A Bizarre Story that Fails to Convey Any Message

In The Contract, Anna (Gabrielle Dennis) and Dennis (Lil Duval) are college sweethearts whose once-vibrant marriage has begun to fade into routine. The film opens with them grappling with their stale relationship, and Dennis, in his usual carefree manner, suggests a threesome as the perfect remedy to reignite their passion. Anna, however, has her sights set on starting a family, leading to an inevitable clash between their differing desires.

The central plot revolves around Anna, a pragmatic lawyer, drafting a contract for Dennis, which lists tasks he must complete before they can even consider his far-fetched idea of adding a third person to their marriage. As they work through these tasks, their journey toward self-discovery and mutual understanding forms the comedic backbone of the movie.

Now, this movie can feel absurd. It's like fulfilling the husbands' weird desires. And just for suggesting a threesome I would have suggested Anna reconsider her relationship with a man. Like seriously, you call this a plot? Where the husband wishes to save the marriage through this?

While the film offers moments of light humor, particularly in the banter between Anna and Dennis, it suffers from a paper-thin plot that fails to provide enough substance to engage the audience. The premise, while quirky and promising, quickly becomes repetitive, as the focus remains narrowly on Dennis’ increasingly ridiculous attempts to check off the items on the list.

One of the movie’s biggest weaknesses is its oversimplification of what could have been an insightful exploration of modern marriage and intimacy. Instead of truly examining the couple’s disconnect and emotional needs, the plot relies heavily on Dennis’ immature obsession with a threesome, which feels more like a gimmick than a genuine conflict. Anna’s decision to humor him by drafting the contract seems out of character for a woman who is otherwise portrayed as strong-willed and ready for motherhood. This dissonance weakens her character arc and leaves the audience questioning her motivations.

Moreover, the pacing drags, especially as the film transitions from one task to the next without much variation in tone. The tasks, while sometimes amusing, rarely add depth to the characters or their relationship, making the film feel stuck in a loop. By the time Dennis finally begins to understand the importance of communication and compromise, it feels too little, too late.

Despite these flaws, Gabrielle Dennis brings a level of charm and relatability to her role as Anna, making her character's frustrations with her husband palpable. Lil Duval, on the other hand, plays Dennis with an over-the-top, goofy demeanor that occasionally lands well but often undermines the emotional weight of the couple's challenges.

The Contract tries to balance humor and heart but ultimately falls short. The premise of using a contract to repair a marriage is intriguing, but the execution lacks the depth needed to engage the audience fully. With a bit more focus on emotional development and less reliance on juvenile antics, the film could have offered more meaningful insight into the complexities of relationships. As it stands, it feels more like a missed opportunity, leaving viewers with a lukewarm narrative that is easily forgettable.

Final Score- [3/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times