In 2019 The Climb made a splash in Cannes like few independently made comedies ever could do as it won a prize in the Un Certain Regard section, drew major critical praise, got instant distribution from Sony Classics and put its creators and stars Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin on the map as filmmakers to watch. Now six years later they are finally back on the Croisette for tonight’s Out Of Competition premiere of a new comedy all about marriage in crisis, Splitsville, and I am happy to report they are firing on all cylinders with this truly hilarious look at two couples who are best friends but find their marriages are suddenly blowing up.

In fact I would say it is this film that will firmly establish them as true comedy heavyweights, whereas The Climb had several LOL moments but ran out of steam towards the end. Splitsville stays on course for all 100 minutes, and it has some pretty outrageous stuff along the way.

As it starts we meet Carey (Marvin) and his bride of 15 months, Ashley (Adria Arjona) happily singing off key as they drive along a country road on their way to see best friends Paul (Covino) and his wife Julie (Dakota Johnson) when Ashley offers a, uh, sexual favor to Paul right there in the driver’s seat. Unfortunately tragedy occurs when their antics cause another weaving car to roll off the road with the driver’s wife thrown from the passenger seat. Horrified they jump out of their car, pull the dazed man out, and try to revive the woman to no avail. Not exactly a set up for laughs, but to show where this movie might be going a female cop turns up and asks Carey why his penis is out of his pants flopping in the wind. Whoops. This is just the beginning, and for a shell-shocked Ashley also the end as she chooses this moment to tell Carey she wants out of their short-lived marriage, and she’s serious. He freaks out and, close to Paul and Julie’s house, runs away through the field, eventually showing up in their backyard and explaining to his friends about the sudden breakup.

In pure Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice fashion it isn’t long before they are consoling him by saying the secret to their union is to have an “open” marriage, advice these two free spirits offer freely, even climbing in the shower – fully clothed – while Carey washes up. Soon their marriage is on the rocks when in an alone moment Carey and Julie hook up. The trouble really starts when Carey, actually believing Paul might be fine with it, admits he had sex with his wife. Paul is not fine with it and a brawl you have to see to believe commences between the two bros. This fight is one for the ages, beautifully choreographed and an instant classic.

Covino, as he did on The Climb, once again takes the director’s share for the script co-written by him and Marvin, and he isn’t afraid to also once again throw everything at the wall. This time most of it sticks, with both couples trying out various partners to diminishing results. I had concerns this would all careen out of control and go way too far over the top, but they are able to keep it grounded due to a very smart and witty screenplay that also finds time to offer real truths about what makes a marriage work. Both Covino and Marvin are superb comic actors, not afraid to go for it when they want to, but also keeping it real and relatable. They are aided greatly by Johnson and Arjona who make you believe that deep down they are in love with these guys, but not ready to put up with craziness for the rest of their lives. In Johnson’s case she is a mother to son, Russ (Simon Webster – a terrific kid actor) who she and her husband need to put first amidst all this madness. In fact you could compare this style of adult film comedy favorably to likes of movies like the aforementioned Paul Mazursky classic, Bob & Carol & Ted& Alice and other gems of the grown up 70’s era of Hollywood studio comedies. Covino though points out his inspirations are more towards Charlie Chaplin and his idol, Jim Carrey. I don’t think he and Marvin should underestimate the sophistication of what they have pulled off with Splitsville. In a business that downplays comedy where good ones are increasingly rare birds, this is an example of how to do it right.

The supporting cast is also first rate if not given a lot of screen time, with romantic interests for Julie including Nicholas Braun as a mentalist hired for Russ’s birthday party, and a naked guitar playing Don Juan named Jackson (Charlie Gillespie).

Producers are Covino, Marvin, Johnson, Ro Donnelly, Ryan Heller, and Samantha Racanelli.

Splitsville
Cannes (Out of Competition)
Neon
Michael Angelo Covino
Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin
Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Simon Webster, O-T Faglenie, Charlie Gillespie, Jessika Mathurin, Nicholas Braun
Running time: 1 hr 40 min