Michael Angelo Covino’s open marriage comedy “Splitsville” brought much-needed laughter to Cannes on Monday night, earning a warm six-minute ovation.
As the applause roared, director Covino teared up and Dakota Johnson comforted him with a hug as he kissed her on the cheek.
“We need to keep making comedies for Cannes, plain and simple. Because laughter should be seen in a theater, not on a television screen,” said Covino.
“Splitsville” follows two couples, made up of Johnson and Covino and Adria Arjona and Kyle Marvin. According to the film’s official logline: “When Ashley (Arjona) asks for a divorce, the good-natured Carey (Marvin) runs to his friends, Julie (Johnson) and Paul (Covino), for support. Their secret to happiness is an open marriage; that is, until Carey crosses the line and throws all of their relationships into chaos.”
The cast also includes Nicholas Braun, David Castañeda, Charlie Gillespie, Simon Webster, Stephen Adekolu, Tyrone Benskin and O-T Fagbenle. Marvin and Covino penned the script, and Johnson served as a producer.
Ahead of its debut in Cannes’ Premiere section, “Splitsville” was acquired by Neon, which has notably distributed the last five Palme d’Or winners: Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite,” Julia Ducournau’s “Titane,” Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness,” Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” and Sean Baker’s “Anora.”
“Splitsville” marks Covino’s sophomore feature following 2019’s “The Climb,” which he also starred in and wrote alongside Marvin. “The Climb,” which follows two friends on a biking trip whose relationship is fractured by infidelity, premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section and was eventually released in 2020 by Sony Pictures Classics.
“Splitsville” will premiere in theaters on Aug. 22 via Neon.
