Available on Blu-ray this week is Splitsville, directed by Michael Angelo Covino, who co-wrote the film with Kyle Marvin. Covino and Marvin also star, appearing alongside Adria Arjona and Dakota Johnson.
The story begins when Ashley (Arjona) tells her husband Carey (Marvin), en route to a weekend with friends, that she has been unfaithful and wants a divorce. Carey panics, leaps from the car, and runs the rest of the way to the beach house belonging to their friends Paul (Covino) and Julie (Johnson). But the shocks don’t end there. While attempting to comfort Carey, Paul and Julie reveal that they’re in an open relationship.
It’s no surprise that Carey and Julie eventually end up in bed together, but the real twist in Splitsville is the unexpected direction the film takes with Ashley and Carey. Desperate to save the marriage, Carey proposes that they try an open relationship—a suggestion she reluctantly follows through on. What unfolds is a strange, often awkward dynamic as Carey forms oddly intimate bonds with each of Ashley’s short-term partners, resulting in some of the film’s most bizarre and memorable moments.
Splitsville is less about infidelity and more about emotional exposure, vulnerability, and the messy process of self-discovery. These characters aren’t bad people; they’re simply struggling to understand themselves and each other. Despite the intelligent writing and strong performances, I ultimately didn’t find the film as funny as I had hoped. There are amusing moments scattered throughout, but several plot developments strained believability, making the comedy less effective than intended.
Bonus Features:
- The Making of Splitsville
- V. Spots
- Theatrical Trailer
By: Marc Ferman
