Banana Split

Banana Split is a 2018 coming-of-age indie movie directed by Benjamin Kasulke, and starring Hannah Marks, Liana Liberato, and Dylan Sprouse. The plot centers around two high school seniors, April (Hannah Marks) and Clara (Liana Liberato), who are best friends until one of them starts dating the other's ex-boyfriend, Nick (Dylan Sprouse).

The film opens with April and Nick breaking up, leading April to feel heartbroken and betrayed. Her world turns upside down when she discovers that Nick has started dating Clara. Despite being hurt, April continues to hang out with Clara, and the two girls soon develop a close friendship.

As their bond grows stronger, April becomes jealous of Clara's relationship with Nick, and starts to feel left out. However, instead of revealing her feelings, April decides to keep them to herself and pretends to support her friend's relationship. The situation becomes even more complicated when April starts dating a popular college guy, Ben (Luke Spencer Roberts), who is unaware of her past with Nick.

In the midst of all this drama, April and Clara embark on a series of adventures, from shopping sprees to ice cream eating contests. They even come up with their own imaginary game called "Banana Split", which involves eating a banana split and then racing to see who can get up the fastest without getting sick.

As the end of summer approaches, the tension between April, Clara, and Nick comes to a head, with the trio forced to confront their feelings and navigate the complicated dynamics of their relationships.

One of the standout qualities of Banana Split is its witty, relatable script. The dialogue is sharp and smart, with plenty of humor and heart. The film is also visually stunning, with lush cinematography and a vivid color palette that captures the spirit of summer.

Hannah Marks and Liana Liberato deliver standout performances as the film's leads, bringing nuance and depth to their characters. Marks, who also co-wrote the screenplay, shines as April, capturing the character's vulnerability and humor with ease. Liberato is equally impressive as Clara, imbuing her with a compelling mix of confidence and vulnerability.

Dylan Sprouse brings a charming energy to his role as Nick, playing the character with charm and complexity. Meanwhile, Luke Spencer Roberts is perfectly cast as Ben, bringing a likable earnestness to his character.

Overall, Banana Split is a fresh and engaging film that captures the complexities of female friendships, first love, and growing up. It's an impressive directorial debut for Ben Kasulke, and a standout performance by Hannah Marks, who proves to be a talent to watch in the years to come.