There is a lot that actually makes the film feel like something on late-night premium cable that has been just edited enough, if you know what I mean. That said, the editing does keep it from feeling overly salacious and appealing to the lowest common denominator. The overall production does scream cheap, with the majority of the film either being limited to two people in a room, or clearly being shot "guerilla style" to save money. There are a few narrative points that with some very minor changes could have made the overall story of the two leads' "self-discovery" much more believable. And the two main male characters are so poorly acted, that it is beyond simply being laughable. "Porn acting" would actually be a compliment to these guys.
All that said, the two female leads really do bring the film WAY UP; they are clearly comfortable with each other, and when they are talking to each other, it's very clear that they are developing at the very least a deep friendship. And their romantic chemistry is there, both physically and emotionally. By the end of the film, it really does feel like they've been on a real (though fast) journey.
And it is those two actresses (Ruth Reynolds and Madeline Merritt) that do elevate this film beyond being cheap and schlocky.
Review of The Guest House
