A couple meets, falls in love, falls apart, and when a new partner enters the picture they are instantly at fault. Stalking social media accounts and finding out any information is key when navigating through the remains of a fractured relationship. But what if the new girlfriend is super nice, takes shots with you, and lets you touch her boob? Banana Split, written by Hannah Marks and Joey Power tells the story of two girls who refuse to let their love for the same guy get in the way of their newfound bond. Hilarious and true to the spirit of high school romance, Banana Split is a romantic comedy for the modern age.
April (Hannah Marks) has just ended her two year relationship with Nick (Dylan Sprouse). Marks and Sprouse have great chemistry as we watch their characters exchange glances, makeout like animals, have pet names, then argue until they break up. The span of their relationship is shown in five minutes and the result is still impactful as audiences will feel their broken romance. The heartache is quickly squelched by the arrival of Nick’s new girlfriend Clara (Liana Liberato). She’s nice but not too nice and before either one can really control it, April and Clara have become best friends.
Marks and Power craft a fun and hilarious story about love in all its forms. Directed by Benjamin Kasulke, in his feature directorial debut, the beach setting and music selection is dreamy and highlights the tone of April and Clara’s summer romance. Close-ups of April show her confusion and heartbreak. The whole atmosphere of the film seems to complement the innocence of first love and growing up.
Banana Split is unique in that it doesn’t focus on pain or revenge, but it puts more of a focus on possibilities and letting go. Dealing with themes as old as time itself, the movie is relatable for all generations. The message is a bit different from our usual break up story. This is not a story about hating the new girlfriend, it’s a story about humanizing her.
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