Splendor 1999

In Los Angeles, Veronica—a 22-year-old aspiring actress leaving a small-town past behind—approaches life with a newly renewed curiosity about dating and connection after a year of keeping her heart on hold. A Halloween party becomes the turning point: she meets two very different men who capture her attention in distinct ways. Abel is thoughtful and artistic, a freelance rock critic with dreams of writing a novel, while Zed is loud, impulsive, and a drummer in a punk band. The night unfolds quickly: Veronica and Mike slip backstage, Abel pursues her with a quiet earnestness, and she jokes with herself about where this night might lead. She ends up giving Abel her number, and then, in a moment that shocks no one more than herself, she ends up sharing a reckless, spontaneous moment with Zed in the club’s bathroom. The next morning, the two awaken in Veronica’s bed, a surprising beginning to an unconventional chain of events.

To explore her options, Veronica dates Abel first and feels an immediate connection. Soon after, she agrees to a more open arrangement with both men, and the trio experiments with keeping shared boundaries while continuing separate dating. The situation shifts into a full ménage à trois as the three begin to coexist in Veronica’s small apartment. Mike remains skeptical and critical of the arrangement, but over time he starts to come to terms with the new reality Veronica has chosen, even as he observes the tension that can emerge when more people share one life.

A new opportunity enters Veronica’s life in the form of Ernest, a charming and financially secure young director who is drawn to her talent and charisma. After he treats her to an meal at a nice restaurant, Veronica finds herself torn between the life she’s building with Abel and Zed and the allure of a different future with Ernest. When Veronica discovers she is pregnant, the balance of the triad becomes strained. She temporarily moves out to stay with Mike while trying to decide how to navigate the next steps. A weekend getaway to Maui with Ernest offers a tempting escape and a chance to imagine a different path.

Upon returning, Abel and Zed are devastated by Veronica’s decision to marry Ernest, a choice that seems to close one chapter even as another begins. The wedding day arrives and, in a moment of emotional clarity, Veronica confides in Mike that she misses both Abel and Zed. She steels herself and proceeds with the ceremony, but Mike’s quiet intervention—secretly reaching out to Abel and Zed—sparks a dramatic turn. The two men race to stop the wedding, each professing their love for Veronica and begging for another chance.

Time passes, and Veronica’s life takes a new shape as she becomes a mother to twin daughters. She continues her relationship with Abel and Zed, redefining what family can mean for them. In a moment of simple honesty, when asked who the father of the twins is, Veronica answers with a heartfelt line that encapsulates the film’s spirit: “They’re ours.” The story circles back to the core idea of choice, love, and unconventional partnership, portraying Veronica’s journey as she learns to balance her ambitions, her heart, and the unique family she creates with Abel and Zed.