REVIEW: THE BOX TRAP

THE BOX TRAP, written, directed by, and starring Meg Poveromo is a slightly clunky little punk-rock LGBTQ+ comedy with a lot of heart. The story centers around Jess (Meg Poveromo) an almost Seinfeldian-like (or Always Sunny) character who orchestrates one life-disaster after another, whether it's with family, friends, romantic partners, or employers, Jess is throwing wrenches and roadblocks into things with her reckless selfishness.

In another type of film, this would make Jess a fairly unlikeable character, but Poveromo imbues Jess with a pleasant, silly charm that allows us, the viewer, to forgive her various transgressions. This character study is really the beating heart of the film, while the overall plot which concerns the titular Box Trap lesbian bar's rivalry with the nearby gay bar, the Cock Catcher, feels more like a sub-plot.

Which is not a terrible thing, because even with a solid cast of supporting characters which runs the gamut from pathalogical liar Laura (Ruth Zapico) to wide-eyed ingenue Stella (Julie Kashmanian) to voice of reason Dev (Kimberly Cain) to salty Cass (Rachel Hein) to rival bar owner/villain Stanley (Lamar Alonzo Hardy) Poveromo's Jess outshines them all.

While on the technical side things are competently executed, it did feel like some scenes drug on longer than they should, and not all of the jokes landed. Outside of the main cast the performances were a bit uneven, and a lot of the framing from a cinematography standpoint felt a little tight, thereby emphasizing the small budget.

Still, THE BOX TRAP is a goofy, funny, light-hearted little film that doesn't take itself too seriously, and has an anti-heroine in Jess that you want to root for!