Filmmakers Michael Angelo Corvino and Kyle Marvin have opened up about the intentional use of male nudity in their latest romantic comedy Splitsville, describing it as a tool to amplify absurdity and emotional vulnerability rather than mere sexualization. The movie, which premiered at Cannes in May 2025 to an eight-minute standing ovation, has now arrived in British cinemas, featuring Hollywood stars Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona alongside the writer-director duo.
Emotional Honesty and Nudity in Splitsville
Corvino and Marvin, who also act in the film, emphasize that their approach to nudity is rooted in comedy and discomfort. "We have no interest in hiding our emotions," Corvino stated, reflecting on both their tearful reaction to the Cannes reception and the film's candid themes. Splitsville follows two couples whose relationships are tested by a divorce and the revelation of an open marriage, blending raunchy humor with dramatic moments.
The filmmakers note that male nudity is particularly prominent, serving to underscore the absurdity of situations. For instance, a scene where Marvin's character is interrupted by friends while showering highlights awkwardness and vulnerability. "I think there's something inherently funny about the way we try to use nudity in this film," Corvino explained. "Certainly with the male nudity, it's more just to add to the sort of absurdity of what we're experiencing, and playing a bit for comedy and discomfort and awkwardness."
Character Depth Beyond Gender
Marvin added that his character's nudity symbolizes emotional exposure, resonating with universal fears. "My character is vulnerable and he is naked in this movie, both physically and emotionally," he said. "And for us, it's a great way to put it out there. Because it's everyone's fear, right? That you're standing in the theatre full of people naked, so I think you immediately empathise with that character."
Corvino and Marvin reject the notion that their gender influences their writing of romantic comedies, citing influences like Richard Curtis and Nora Ephron. "We never think about things in terms of that because we have emotion, and we just write characters that we understand," Corvino shared. "Male, female, whatever – that is secondary to the idea of, is this a character that I know, recognise and want to explore, and is interesting, feels human and a character that other people will recognise?"
Collaboration and Production Challenges
Dakota Johnson, who stars and produces through Tea Time Productions, was instrumental in the project from its early stages. Corvino praised the collaboration, saying, "I couldn't speak more highly about the experience of collaborating on it because there was so much trust and collaboration in all directions, from all parties." The film was produced independently, without major studio backing, which Corvino described as "challenging, but in all the right ways."
Physical Comedy and Dramatic Fights
A central element of Splitsville is a chaotic fistfight between Corvino and Marvin's characters, which starts with cheek slaps and escalates into a full brawl. This scene was the "starting place" for the movie, exploring how a husband reacts to his best friend sleeping with his wife in an open marriage. "We're testing that [scenario] immediately and in the most intense way," Corvino noted. "And the answer to that is just the most absurd, off the wall response you can imagine, but grounded in deep pain and emotion and vulnerability and friendship."
The fight sequence required weeks of rehearsals in a climbing gym, culminating in a single take where the actors crashed through a glass window into a swimming pool. Marvin recalled the intense filming: "I look over at Mike, and there's just blood all over his head. We climb off and the medics are coming over, patching everyone up. And our stunt coordinator comes up and goes, 'Best case scenario!'"
Legacy and Audience Reception
Corvino and Marvin aim to update classic screwball comedies from the 1930s and 1940s, infusing modern sensibilities into their storytelling. They believe that honest emotions, such as betrayal and jealousy, are universal and not novel. "Anyone who's dealt with any sort of these experiences knows that it's not novel to feel betrayal, jealousy, sadness, vulnerability, those are very real emotions, be they for men or women – and anyone who says otherwise is just lying to themselves," Corvino asserted.
Splitsville is now showing in UK cinemas, offering audiences a blend of humor, nudity, and emotional depth that challenges traditional rom-com conventions.
