Every few years, it seems, a film comes out detailing the exploits of a menage a trois. "Summer Lovers", "Threesome", "Three to Tango" are a few examples. By this time, there isn't a whole lot new that can be added to the mix, though this film tries hard to be lively, edgy, funny and compelling. Robertson plays a young, struggling actress in L.A. who's in the midst of a sexual dry spell. Amazingly, in one night, she falls for two guys. One, Schaech, is a bookish, sensitive type while the other, Keeslar, is a wild, tattooed drummer in a band. She attempts to juggle the men and decide which one she truly wants to pursue, but eventually decides that she can't decide. Tentatively, she explains to each one of them that she has feelings for both of them. One night, with the help of several bottles of booze, they discover that they can actually function as a threesome, eventually living together. Unfortunately, things eventually get out of hand as Robertson begins to doubt the practicality of the situation and wonders if she can really have a life with these men. In walks film director Mabius who seems to fulfill every need she's ever had, except she doesn't feel for him the spark that she did with the other guys. Meanwhile, her funky artist friend MacDonald supplies commentary and support from the sidelines. Robertson, looking very lovely here, gives as good a performance as anyone could of such a self-indulgent, rather reckless person. She narrates the film in flashback with several in-your-face close-ups, speaking in that Gen-X way that can annoy some older viewers. Still, she's good in the film and manages, most of the time, to retain the audience's sympathy. Schaech, who smokes incessantly throughout, is attractive (despite some pronounced dark circles under his eyes) and reasonably appealing. Keeslar is, at first glance, a dumb lug, but his appeal grows throughout the film and he winds up as one of the most lovable characters. He's handsome and sexy. MacDonald enjoys her sassy role and has quite a few sarcastic and funny lines. Mabius is very likable, perhaps too likable to make this story really work since it's hard to see why he isn't good enough for Robertson. He gives an amiable, gentle, memorable performance which goes fairly unrewarded in the film. This is a revved up, colorful, splashy rendition of the old threesome genre that is often sexy and rarely boring. It looks great and has some nice acting in it. Unfortunately, it never seems particularly real and the ending is less satisfying than it would like to be (not to mention clichéd.) Additionally, two characters who claim to have gone through great change actually haven't changed at all since they barely could pull it together to even present themselves at the climax. The story is pretty much paint by numbers and it's up to the actors to fill it in and try to make it all work. It only does so marginally. Still, it's an arresting and intriguing movie with more than a few memorable sequences.

This movie is a living relict! Doesn't seem that long ago we were wearing plastic shiny pants, MTV was still cool, and Orbits was still around. Gregg Araki has done a great job of archiving the music, fashion, lingo, nightlife, and more of some of the alternative kids from the 90s. This movie is fun, funny, and funniest when you don't use your brain while watching. Everything was good from the writing, dialogue, actors, costume, music, story, and directing. This is not an award winning film, but everyone I introduce the movie to loves it! Gregg Araki is a constant evolving artist. I urge any film lover to check out all of his films. Some of them can be a bit challenging. However, none of them are alike because he never copies himself, and that is such a blessing as most directors/writers are so predictable these days. Araki definitely keeps you watching!

Araki's most overtly heterosexual film, and hence painfully mainstream, is undeniably a dissapointment for fans of his previous films, particularly the brilliant twosome "Nowhere" and "The Doom Generation". In fact in many ways "Splendour" is like a John Hughes remake of "The Doom Generations" but without the explicit sex and violence, severed heads, castrations and Parker Posey in a bizarre wig - Araki has tossed his nihilism out the window, and come up with a frustratingly conventional romcom. It continues his repeated fascination with the three-way relationship, perhaps for obvious reasons he can only portray a heterosexual relationship with two males present, and his unique visual and editing style is still apparent though toned down. Not a bad film by any means as it is enjoyable and the performances are good, but one can't help but feel underwhelmed following the daft "Graduate"-style ending. Let's hope this is a one-off for Araki.

A shallow story about three morons that end up in a threesome. Pretentious, empty characters with nothing terribly interesting or genuine to say. Kathleen Robertson needs to get over herself, as she seems far too aware of her 'cuteness' in this movie. I found her revolting. The thing that's hard to believe is that people are actually entertained by this crap.