April (Hannah Marks) and Nick (Dylan Sprouse) are in love, but they have separated due to differences that they are unable to overcome. Almost immediately after the break up, Nick begins dating Clara (Liana Liberato), the new girl in town. Banana Split depicts the unusual and unexpected friendship between Clara and April. As their secretive friendship picks up speed and they become closer than they had ever expected, it becomes clear that there will be a number of speed bumps along the way. They ignore the signs and they continue down their collective path, hoping that April’s memories of Nick will not one day tear them apart. Their journey is unprecedented, but it allows them the opportunity to understand love, loss and friendship like they never believed possible.
It’s well known that I’m not one to enjoy a chick-flick, and while Banana Split is not a chick-flick in the typical sense, it exhibits some of the same themes and ideals that can often be found in your standard rom com/chick-flick. Guided primarily by an out of the ordinary relationship, this time a platonic relationship between two young women, Banana Split tows the line between dramedy and the romantic comedies where a man and women meet, fight and ultimately come to understand that they are meant to be together forever. April and Clara find a similar connection, but through the writing of Marks and Joey Power they present audiences with raunchy humor, unparalleled awkwardness and life lessons that are often neglected in modern romantic comedies. Marks and Power find an impeccable balance between the usual and the unexpected, blending the two, creating an algorithm that brilliantly showcases their abilities and keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Viewers are well aware that drama will present itself, but they are unsure of how and when. As audiences anticipate the upcoming issues, they are unable to look away from the beauty of the story and the simple, but sensational acting of Marks, Sprouse, Liberato and Luke Spencer Roberts (Ben).
The four young talents (all in their mid-20’s) prove early on, and continue to provide evidence, that they are capable of leading a film, driving a plot and producing content worthy of watching. For the most part Banana Split presents the story of day-to-day life, and the actors are asked to depict usual emotions that audiences can identify with. However, from time to time, audiences see Marks and Liberato step into darker roles that see them spewing nonsensical threats and asinine dialogue that requires a bit more accuracy in order for viewers to believe what is taking place. Their sometimes idiotic discourse is unfamiliar, and, without the two leads performing with such exactitude, I believe that their sentiments and their emotions would fall short and be misunderstood.
My word of the day seems to be accessibility and all of its variations. Marks’ Banana Split creates relationships that are accessible by all. April and Clara create a bond that clearly represents innocence and the friendships that are often forged in adolescence. Audiences see the characters’ naivety and are able to make connections to the times when they were young and believed that their high school romances were the be-all and end-all of their existence. It would be unfair to define Clara and April’s relationship as nothing more than adolescent and naive, because their friendship grows into something more genuine and real. Like some early friendships do, the one depicted in Banana Split blossoms and becomes solid and tangible, like the relationships you have with your closest confidants. It becomes clear that the two have become more than just two teenage girls fancying over one another, and more like the lifelong relationships that audiences have experienced. The fact that the relationship is so dynamic makes it accessible to audiences of all ages and makes for a better understanding and appreciation of the film.
The twenty-something Marks (along with Power and director Benjamin Kasulke) build a teen drama into something more. It becomes relatable, believable, accessible and heart wrenching, allowing audiences to feel for the characters and relive both the traumas and beauties of their own lives. Banana Split does a better job than most other films of presenting both relationships and harsh realities of the world to viewers. Banana Split is funny, interesting, thought provoking and accessible, making it one of the better films of the past few years.
Directed by Benjamin Kasulke. Written by Hannah Marks & Joey Power. Starring Hannah Marks, Liana Liberato, Dylan Sprouse, Luke Spencer Roberts, Jessica Hecht, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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