Greg Araki's work typically ranges from campy farce to gritty shock value...but what they all have in common is low quality acting. And in "Splendor" he utilizes his usual formula of stocking his films with eye-candy in lieu of substance in an attempt to get the viewer to overlook the sub-par context and dialogue. Araki's constant theme of bi-sexuality or sex-fluidity happens to be the focal point of this film. Though the film absolutely misses the mark in actually giving the viewer a substantive premise for two men allowing themselves to be in a relationship with the same woman...and by insinuation with each other as well. As I watched it, I just didn't believe the female protagonist was that hot, compelling or desirable to "pull together" a three-way relationship with two completely disparate heterosexual men. Yes, I get this was supposed to be a fantasy...but whose?
Review of Splendor
