Splendor (1999 film)
Splendor | |
---|---|
Directed by | Gregg Araki |
Written by | Gregg Araki |
Produced by | Gregg Araki Graham Broadbent Damian Jones |
Starring | Kathleen Robertson Johnathon Schaech Matt Keeslar Kelly Macdonald Eric Mabius |
Cinematography | Jim Fealy |
Edited by | Gregg Araki Tatiana S. Riegel |
Music by | Daniel Licht |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | The Samuel Goldwyn Company |
Release date | |
Running time | 92 minutes |
Countries | United Kingdom United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $284.000[1] |
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]
Plot[]
When struggling Los Angeles actress 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[]
- ^ "Splendor (1999) - Financial Information".
- ^ IMDb.com, Splendor, accessed July 4, 2012
- ^ Filmmaker Magazine, interview with Greg Araki Archived 2011-08-14 at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 04, 2012
- ^ Splendor at Metacritic, accessed July 04, 2012
- ^ Splendor at Rotten Tomatoes, accessed July 04, 2012
- ^ Chicago Reader, Splendor Archived 2021-03-19 at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 4, 2012
- ^ The Austin Chronicle, Marc Savlov, Splendor, November 19, 1999 Archived 2021-03-19 at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 4, 2012
- ^ '"Daily News, New Movie Digest Caosure Reviews Of Current Releases, Jack Mathews, September 17, 1999 Archived March 19, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 4, 2012
- ^ Variety review of Splendor, Emanuel Levy, February 11, 1999, accessed July 4, 2012
External links[]
- 1999 films
- English-language films
- 1999 romantic comedy films
- 1999 LGBT-related films
- British films
- British LGBT-related films
- British romantic comedy films
- American films
- American LGBT-related films
- American romantic comedy films
- 1990s English-language films
- Films directed by Gregg Araki
- Bisexuality-related films
- Films set in Los Angeles
- Films shot in Los Angeles
- American independent films
- Lesbian-related films
- Summit Entertainment films
- Films produced by Graham Broadbent
- The Samuel Goldwyn Company films
- Films scored by Daniel Licht
- 1999 independent films