Starry, Starry Night for “Splitsville”
The magic words weren’t even Donna Karan. Or “free movie.” They were “Cinema Society.”
Well, maybe it was the combination of Donna Karan + Cinema Society + a sex comedy set in the Hamptons called “Splitsville.”
Everyone turned up and had a good time: Candace Bushnell, Christie Brinkley, Jill Rappaport (photo: David Benthal/BFA)
Whatever, here in the audience were actors Camryn Manheim from “Law and Order” and Richard Kind — he’s the sidekick for that Netflix show “Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney” and appears on “Murders in the Building” — along with the indie star Patricia Clarkson and the German-American actor Peter Hermann, who is married to Mariska Hargitay. Also seen: Jackie Hoffman and Mark Feuerstein — remember him from “Caroline in the City”? These were not Brad Pitt level stars, but people of New York stage, the indie and low-budget film world and television.
Don Lemon with the hostess, Donna Karan (Photo by David Benthal/BFA)
Other parts of the movie business, producers in particular, were thick on the ground, including Ryan Heller, an executive producer of a 2024 film that won 79 awards, including an Academy Award. He might not be known to people on Main Street in East Hampton, but in this room, he was recognized for founding Topic Studios, for his involvement in “A Real Pain” and, of course, for being one of the executive producers of tonight’s film.
Mikeala Boyd, from Bain, and the producer Ryan Heller (Photo by David Benthal/BFA)
Most Hampton parties are filled with influencers, models and, well, the kind of people who fill benefits and galas. Not this one. Donna Karan invited people she knew, people she had worked with, and people she respected. Then Andrew Saffir, head of Cinema Society, added Long Island cinephiles. The guests for the screening on Sunday night, July 27, at Donna Karan’s house were makers and doers.
Dylan Lauren and her husband, Paul Arrouet (Photo by David Benthal/BFA)
There was vitality in the room. These were folks who wanted to discuss things: mutual friends, projects, who lost a house in the LA Fire, Colbert, CBS, “South Park,” self-censorship, where to buy the best sweetcorn. These were smart, accomplished, well-informed people. Those not in the arts were, like Michaela Boyd, a top executive at Bain, keen observers of where business was headed and what the mood is in the workplace. Even architects are considered bellwethers; it is said that jobs are on hold in Manhattan, pending an election that might go for Mamdani.
Andrew Saffir, his partner Daniel Benedict, and the actresses Patricia Clarkson and Camryn Manheim (Photo credit David Benthal/BFA)
Guests included the entrepreneur Bobby Brown, the author Candace Bushnell, the artist Ross Bleckner, the real estate maven Sandra Ripert (who is married to the master chef Eric Ripert), Christie Brinkley (who brought along her son, Jack Brinkley-Cook, daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, and extended family). Dylan Lauren, the candy entrepreneur brought her husband, Paul Arrouet, who is a managing partner at Marblegate Asset Management in Greenwich. Jill Rappaport, Joy Behar and Don Lemon could have run a TV show from one of the many sofas.
The actor Peter Hermann and the designer Carla-rae Prober, one of Donna Karan’s closest friends. (Photo by David Benthal/BFA)
Cinema Society puts on these private screenings in conjunction with the folks at Hamptons International Film Festival, and with The Wall Street Journal. In case you are wondering, no, you cannot join Cinema Society. Membership is by invitation only.
The movie “Splitsville” is the second full-length outing for the writers Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin. (Never heard of them? Their low-budget, R-rated “The Climb” came out in 2020.) “The Climb,” which is not about mountain climbing, was directed by Covino and starred, well, them. No one saw it.
This movie, same deal. It’s by Covino and Marvin, directed by Covino, and stars them. This time around, however, they have two stars in female roles: Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona. Arjona recently burst upon the scene, both in m0vies and on TV. She was in 17 episodes of “AndOr” with Diego Luna, and was in “Father of the Bride.” Neither of the female leads came to the screening this night, but Michael Angelo Covino was on hand with Emily Korteweg, one of the producers.
Michael Angelo Covino, writer/director/star (photo by David Benthal/BFA)
He made the introduction, and then settled in to watch the film with the audience, which had been liberally plied with food and drink. The movie features male nudity, and broad physical comedy. Guests may not have been informed of the story, which while nominally set in the Hamptons, was shot in Quebec. (“What lake?” people might ask)
From the left, Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, Adria Arjona, Dakota Johnson (Courtesy Topic Studios)
The movie was shown at Cannes and received generally favorable reviews. Here is the premis. A couple married for just over a year is driving to the Hamptons to see the husband’s best friend. The wife says she wants a divorce. The husband, played by Marvin, asks his best friend, played by Corvino, for advice. Corvino says the secret to a happy marriage is an open marriage, so his friend sleeps with his wife. Havoc endues. Things are broken, comic action-movie style.
A UK reviewer at Cannes wrote, “It’s tender without being saccharine, sophisticated without being smug, and funny without ever feeling effortful.”
“Splitsville” opens in movie theaters on August 22. — Linda Lee
