Search - Splendor on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Humor, Profanity, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1999 DVD Release: 11/23/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English, Spanish Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 33 mins Studio: Columbia TriStar Members Wishing: 3 Genres: Comedy Drama, Romantic Comedy, Sex Comedy

A struggling actress forges an unusual family unit with two separate boyfriends in this romantic comedy from indie auteur Gregg Araki. Veronica (Kathleen Robertson) hasn't had a decent date for a year, but one Halloween she meets not one but two perfect guys: Zed (Matt Keeslar), a rock drummer who does her on the floor of a club bathroom after his show, and Abel (Johnathon Schaech), an affable rock critic and would-be novelist, who seems more interested in connecting with her soul than her private parts. Unable to lie to either guy about her attraction to both of them, Veronica soon convinces them to share her. Eventually, the unemployed Zed and the underemployed Abel even move in with her, resulting in kinky sex and domestic bliss. Trouble comes calling, however, in the form of an unplanned pregnancy -- and in the person of Ernest (Eric Mabius), an aptly named TV director, who gives Veronica her big break and the chance to play house and raise her child in a monied, more normal environment. Its soundtrack filled with the director's trademarked mixture of shoegazer drone and electronic bliss, Splendor premiered at Sundance in 1999. Araki's first outing after the completion of his "Teen Apocalypse Trilogy," the film reunited him with two actors who had appeared in that series: Schaech (The Doom Generation) and Robertson (Nowhere). Both of those earlier characters participated in unorthodox romantic tableaux similar to the one documented in Splendor. Robertson, in fact, would return to the world of the ménage à trois with 2002's XX/XY. Offscreen, the actress raised eyebrows after beginning a romance with her openly gay director. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Kathleen Robertson - Veronica
Johnathon Schaech - Abel
Matt Keeslar - Zed
Kelly MacDonald - Mike
Eric Mabius - Ernest

In Splendor, director Gregg Araki created his least controversial film -- a glossy romantic comedy with an amazing soundtrack. From the stunningly beautiful opening titles, set to a Locust remix of a song by Slowdive, viewers know they're in for a colorful, musical treat. Cinematographer Jim Fealy's vibrantly lit compositions are never less than completely pleasing to the eye. Splendor presents a visual kaleidoscope of rainbow-tinged photography, and the DVD transfer always delivers the goods. The audio is excellent; Kathleen Robertson's narration and all the dialogue and sound effects have a "you are there" quality. Songs by or remixed by My Bloody Valentine, New Order, and Chapterhouse sound crystal clear and help to make the film the joy that it is. The "Special Features" menu is a sparse affair. "Talent Files" for Araki and actor Johnathon Schaech provide the usual, limited biographical filmographies. Theatrical trailers are provided for Splendor, Hush, and Finding Graceland (the latter two billed as films also starring Johnathon Schaech). All 28 chapters can be selected from the "Scene Selections" menu (adorned by still images and captions). Splendor is light, fun fare with a fantastic soundtrack and is best viewed in this DVD presentation. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Movie Guide