‘Splitsville’ Movie Review: Two Couples Break Up to Make Up in The Niche Indie Comedy

They say the grass is greener on the other side and in the new indie comedy “Splitsville” that idiom is tested like never before.

The creative duo Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin, who penned together the 2019 film “The Climb,” are back again behind and in front of the scenes in “Splitsville” with Covino also serving as the director. Their first film explored friendship and this one takes it up a notch adding a layer of complicated romantic relationships. In the their latest, Ashley (Adria Arjona) and Carey (Kyle Marvin) are a freshly married couple headed to spend time with Carey’s best friend Paul (Michael Angelo Covino) and his wife Julie (Dakota Johnson). Ashley drops a bombshell mid trip that she’s not happy and wants a divorce to the dismay of the good-natured Carey. Seeking comfort in his friends, Carey discovers the secret to Julie and Paul’s seemingly happy relationship is an open marriage, until Carey crosses the line and sets off a series of chaotic events that alter the lives of all parties involved.

“Splitsville” opens with an unexpected accident that sets the tone for the type of movie viewers are in for. While the plot may spark a serious conversation about open marriages, setting boundaries in friendships, and being honest to your partner about the state of your relationship, the execution of the plot is very unserious with a very specific kind of comedic tone. This one won’t be for everyone because I found myself stone faced for a good chunk of the movie. There were elements of “Splitsville” that was gratuitous for me like an extended fight sequence between the lead male actors Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin and few moments that actually made me laugh at loud. Those moments came courtesy of the leading ladies Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona. Dakota’s usual monotone cadence worked well in this role because Julie was often nonchalant at the aftermath of, spoiler alert, sleeping with her husband’s best friend and subsequently embarking in a relationship with him.

If needing to pick a star of “Splittsville” it would be Adria Arjona hands down. Her journey as Ashley in the film centered with finding the voice to say she wanted out of her marriage to dating a slew of men where she catered her personality to them and those said men becoming an intricate part of her life and journey to finding her way back to her husband. Her dating era was the best and funniest part of the movie for me. In hindsight, maybe Ashley should have asked for a trial separation, but if she did that then we wouldn’t have a movie. I may not have enjoyed “Splitsville” as much as I wanted to, but I can commend Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin for an original screenplay in a herd of revamps, sequels, and franchise extensions. The concept of “Splitsville” had potential to be really entertaining. It had an adequate cast but it fell flat in the writing and structure of the story. If you do intend to head to the theaters for this film go in with average expectations and allow the subtle humor to surprise you. 

“Splitsville” is now playing in theaters.

Connect with Glambergirlblog.com on Threads, TikTok and Instagram @Glambergirlblog, and subscribe to the YouTube channel at youtube.com/AmberDoverMedia

Photo: NEON