Splendor (1999 film)
Splendor is a 1999 romantic comedy film directed by Gregg Araki and starring Kathleen Robertson, Johnathon Schaech, and Matt Keeslar. The film deals with an open relationship between the three leads.[2]
Splendor | |
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![]() Spanish theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Gregg Araki |
Produced by | Gregg Araki Graham Broadbent Damian Jones |
Written by | Gregg Araki |
Starring | Kathleen Robertson Johnathon Schaech Matt Keeslar Kelly Macdonald Eric Mabius |
Music by | Daniel Licht |
Cinematography | Jim Fealy |
Edited by | Gregg Araki Tatiana S. Riegel |
Production company | |
Distributed by | The Samuel Goldwyn Company |
Release date | |
Running time | 92 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $284.000[1] |
Plot
When struggling Los Angeles actor Veronica finds herself simultaneously falling in love with a sensitive writer named Abel and an air-headed drummer named Zed, she initially tries to see them both without the other finding out, and then to choose between them. When she is unable to do so, she begins openly dating them both, and the three eventually move in together, forming a unique yet functional group relationship. Veronica's friend Mike is critical of their relationship, though she warms to the concept over time. Abel and Zed are initially antagonistic to one another but grow closer over time, eventually becoming closer to one another than either of them are to Veronica. When Veronica becomes pregnant, the relationship becomes strained and she eventually leaves both Abel and Zed for charming director Ernest, whom she agrees to marry despite not loving. At the film's climax, Abel and Zed race across the city at Mike's urging to stop the wedding and win her back.
Cast
- Kathleen Robertson as Veronica
- Johnathon Schaech as Abel
- Matt Keeslar as Zed
- Kelly Macdonald as Mike
- Eric Mabius as Ernest
- Dan Gatto as Mutt
- Linda Kim as Alison
- Audrey Ruttan as The Gloved One
- Amy Stevens as Nana Kitty Cat
- Adam Carola as Mike's stupid boss
- Mink Stole as Casting director
Themes
Speaking to Filmmaker Magazine, Araki referred to the film as being "very much about trying to live by your own rules...about achieving conventional happiness in an unconventional way." In terms of genre, he said "I wanted a sort of Cary Grant stylization. As in screwball comedy, the emotions are real, but there is also a kind of sheen to the performance."[3]
Reception
Splendor received mixed reviews from critics. It holds a ranking of 52/100 on review aggregator Metacritic,[4] and has a 58% on Rotten Tomatoes.[5] The Chicago Reader described it as being "marvelously neutral toward a type of sexual and domestic relationship that's often exploited or overblown",[6] and The Austin Chronicle stated that "there's a genuine, sparky chemistry between the three...and Robertson, particularly, is luminous in her role."[7] The Daily News was less positive, saying that the film "seems more like a vapid sitcom made on a low budget" and summarising it as "meaningless, if perverted, fun."[8] Variety stated that, "though less violent and macabre than all of (Araki's) previous movies, Splendor is not exactly fresh, nor a radical point of departure...a seductively sensual picture that entices while it lasts but evaporates like an air bubble as soon as it is over."[9]
See also
- Design for Living, the acclaimed 1933 film with an identical premise.
References
- https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Splendor#tab=summary
- IMDb.com, Splendor, accessed July 4, 2012
- Filmmaker Magazine, interview with Greg Araki, accessed July 04, 2012
- Splendor at Metacritic, accessed July 04, 2012
- Splendor at Rotten Tomatoes, accessed July 04, 2012
- Chicago Reader, Splendor, accessed July 4, 2012
- The Austin Chronicle, Marc Savlov, Splendor, November 19, 1999, accessed July 4, 2012
- '"Daily News, New Movie Digest Caosure Reviews Of Current Releases, Jack Mathews, September 17, 1999, accessed July 4, 2012
- Variety review of Splendor, Emanuel Levy, February 11, 1999, accessed July 4, 2012