|
Amazon.com You might expect a ménage à trois movie called Splendor to be some sort of steamy, soft-lit sex romp, but it is, in fact, a witty, sassy romantic comedy. Writer-director Gregg Araki set out to make a '30s screwball comedy with a modern twist, and he's mostly succeeded. Splendor is brisk and funny, and if it seems a bit convenient that two guys could love (and sleep with) one woman without killing each other, it's all in the service something bigger--the story of a woman forced to choose between love and security. Kathleen Robertson has a certain impish charm (which unfortunately wears thin at times), Johnathon Schaech and Matt Keeslar are fun as the rivals who ultimately become best buds, but it's Eric Mabius who quietly steals every scene he's in as a TV movie director who's so thoughtful and kind, yet self-absorbed, that he might comfort his bride-to-be on their wedding day by sweetly telling her, "Honey, Amazon.com says I stole every scene I'm in, isn't that great?" --Geof Miller ... Read more Reviews (27) 
Better than many high-profile romantic comedies i 've seen
Splendor , the story of confused ordinary girl Veronica who enloys living a life in a threesome is really a refreshing romantic film experience. Having been directed with a speedy Mtv-like aura by Greg Araki , the film achieves to be both funny and tender. It's hard not to love it's three lead-actors , especially with the killer-lines they get to say in certain moments of the film ( "Who do you love?Him or us?" ) .All the cast delivers some good acting but the one who , in my opinion shines is Matt Keeslar as the goofy yet appealing Zed , an ex-drummer who eventually becomes his basic rival's best friend in order to get to be with Veronica too.
A Serious Film
This is a daring topic and I wish more theaters had shown the film. Can two men love a woman and share her in a way that makes it work? This movie attempts to answer that question without compulsively tacking on moralistic, "don't try this at home" endings where the relationship ends disastrously almost before it starts with jealousy-crazed, immature tantrum-throwing on the part of the protagonists. It also blows a few stereotypes in a delightful way: the two men in question seem like normal, heterosexual guys, if a bit immature; the woman is a nice, girl-next-door type who is just trying to find someone to love her and hits the jackpot, rather than a nymphomaniac. Somehow, it's the rest of the world that starts looking a bit strange after a while -- nobody else seems to get it.
The film isn't very explicit, which has its pluses and minuses -- other movies that have dealt with similar scenarios invariably do a thoroughly awkward, uncreative job of portraying a threesome, so it would have been nice to see an improvement on that -- but I think Araki wanted to focus on the romantic, emotional side of a threeway relationship rather than the sexual aspects, which this film does quite well. I would also have liked the film to be a bit longer to allow for more character development of the men (it's told from the woman's perspective so it's easier to develop her character than theirs); what was it about the men that made the woman think that it could work between the three of them? Those points aside, this is a serious film and I highly recommend it.
Cute, enjoyable romantic tale.
'Splendor' is a wonderful film by indie director Gregg Araki, who with such films as Nowhere, The Doom Generation, and Totally f***ed up, has been dubbed "The God of Alternative Gay Teen Cinema." The film opens on Halloween night at a costume party, where out heroine, Veronica, an aspiring actress (is there any other kind?) meets her Prince Charming (literally), Abel, a freelance rock critic, after he accidentally runs into her. As their eyes meet, the two realize that they are destined for each other. As Veronica begins to walk away, due to protests from her lesbian best friend Mikey, Abel asks for her number and she gives it to him. Less than five minutes later, Veronica sees the gorgeous drummer of the band playing at the party, and they immediately have sex, without even an introduction.
It isn't long before Veronica is steadily dating the two men, with their permission of course. The two men know that they are sharing the same woman, but they have never met each other. When Veronica invites Abel to one of Zed's concerts, the two men run into each other and complications arise.
This film deals with a daring topic and I wish that more theaters had shown it during its theatrical run. Surprisingly, the film isn't very explicit, but I think that Araki wanted to focus more on the romantic, emotional side of a threeway relationship rather than the sexual aspects, which the film does quite well.
This movie was very enjoyable and somewhat different from the corny romantic comedies out there, although the end did manage to take that route. The script was fresh and funny, and the performances were great. I love Kathleen Robertson and its been good seeing her in such daring roles lately. Johnathon Schaech was terrific as always, and Matthew Kessler, who plays Zed, is one of the sexiest actors I have ever seen. This is one I can watch over and over and I am eagerly anticipating whatever will come next from this great director. Highly recommended for those who want to see a slightly different romantic comedy.
A polyamorous twist wait twist wait happy movie.
Polyamorous people come from all directions on the continuum and so does this movie. We are given a variety of characters with all their foibles, scars, and blemishes and somehow most of them rise above their faults. Working through is a theme lots of new movies are dealing with. Pay It Forward, Matchstick Men, and As Good As It Gets are examples. This movie is about one possible path we might take as urban, emotional, confused yet sexual beings that want an inclusive life instead of an exclusive one. That said... if you prefer movies with "perfect" characters in them, then "Saving Private Ryan" and "Matrix" are more your style I suppose. If you liked the complexity of Cabaret and the quirky of Singles, then this movie is similar and worth seeing.
Love Araki, Hate this movie.
I too must echo the sentiment expressed earlier in these reviews. The female lead is the most selfish, unsympathetic character I believe I've EVER seen in a movie. She uses and abuses EVERY man that she comes across. Forcing each adoring suitor to abide by her wants and desires if they wish to have any sort of relationship with her. I simply cannot bring myself to feel any shred of pity for Robertson's character as she jumps from one emotional freak out to the next. Dragging her lovers unwillingly along for the ride and playing them off of one another to get what she wants out of each relationship (guy 1 = sex, guy 2 = emotional/Intellectual support, guy 3 = MONEY).
I will simply ask this question: If the female lead was replaced by a MALE lead, who treated WOMEN in the same way that Kathleen Robertson's character does to the three men "in her life", do you think that this movie would still be "crazy and kooky fun"? I, personally, don't think so. I think that you can see where I'm going with this. Go rent Doomed Generation, Nowhere or Totally... if you want a real taste of Araki.
... Read more |
