HotToastyRag
Given the fact that I'm neither a Kate Hudson fan nor a Naomi Watts fan, I probably shouldn't have rented this movie expecting to like it. But I love Leslie Caron, and will watch anything she's in. Unfortunately for me, she was in Le Divorce and I had to sit through it.Kate Hudson goes to France to support her pregnant sister Naomi Watts, whose husband has just left her for another woman. While they battle through a very messy divorce, Kate gets involved with two men, Thierry Lhermitte and Romain Duris, and her callous attitude towards both is very off-putting. Meanwhile, Leslie Caron plays Naomi's snobby and cold mother-in-law, and Glenn Close plays an odd author, whose purpose I'm still trying to figure out.There was absolutely nothing about this film I enjoyed, and to be honest, I turned it off and didn't make it all the way through. People who absolutely love France and the French culture, or die-hard Kate Hudson fans might like Le Divorce, but besides that, I can't imagine most people getting through it. Although marketed as a romantic comedy, it actually gets pretty heavy as everyone's affairs and issues collide. If you do decide to watch it, against my recommendation, keep an eye out for Sam Waterston, Stockard Channing, Matthew Modine, Bebe Neuwirth, and Stephen Fry in small roles.
tomgoblin-44620
NO ONE in this film over the age of 5 fails to horrify. In a variety of ways of course. I kept thinking of words like "Vile" or "Stupid". As a conventional film entertainment, I give it a 1. As an incisive critique, it deserves an 8.But, of course.My takeaway was that this was a brilliant dissection of the French and American upper classes as they interacted. Both were vile and a disgrace to the best aspirations of most civilizations of the past 500 years.If you wrote down on a set of tickets every human weakness you could think of and put them all in a little jar, then pulled them out one by one, you could find an example of each (very well acted) in this movie.I liken it to a very well done Army training film on venereal disease. Professionally done but, disgusting. If this was the intent of the writer/director then they deserve an 10! "A sickly sourness filled the room. The bitter harvest of a dying bloom"* Finally, seeing it so many years later while France is collapsing in a self-induced cultural suicide...it has a sort of historical sting. You can see why French "Elites" have wrecked their country. Self-involvement, decadence and cynical detachment have reached full bloom.It couldn't happen to a more deserving people. I just hope America doesn't go completely over the cultural/moral brink that the French are living out as I write this.But, of course...*Peter Gabriel
Desertman84
Le Divorce is a romantic comedy based on Diane Johnson's bestselling novel about contemporary world of Americans in Paris.Kate Hudson lights up the screen as Isabel, a film school dropout who jets off to Paris when her pregnant step-sister Roxy,played by Naomi Watts,is abandoned by her husband. Stockard Channing, Glenn Close, Matthew Modine and Bebe Newirth co-star in this screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and James Ivory,the film's director.When Isabel receives word that her pregnant poetess sister Roxy has been left by her philandering French husband, artist Charles-Henri de Persand ,she offers her help and moral support. As the depressive Roxy struggles with the separation proceedings, Isabel takes a job with author Olivia Pace and has a fling with the bohemian Yves. But things get complicated when the younger, more impudent sister decides instead to pursue Charles' uncle, the snooty, married diplomat Edgar, and when a mysterious man starts stalking Roxy. Eventually, the rest of the plucky Walker clan has to come to the aid of the siblings. This is an insignificant film with a passably entertaining premise that goes wildly to hell the instant it strays from its comic ideals with brief, unsatisfying detours into the realms of art and high-end lingerie.It was definitely an uneven film except that one can truly appreciate the performance of the cast particularly Hudson and Watts.
Chrysanthepop
I've been looking forward to 'Le Divorce' for years. Despite the negative reviews and the silly trailer, it was something I didn't want to miss. After all, it's a Merchant Ivory movie that stars actors like Naomi Watts, Glenn Close, Stockard Channing, Romain Duris and Kate Hudson, so how bad could it be? Sadly, this is perhaps Merchant Ivory's weakest film.'Le Divorce' contrasts between the French culture and the American. The said comparison is made between an upper class French family and a middle-class American family. Much 'use' is made of the stereotype Americans have of French people but there are also certain interesting differences made here (such as Roxanne's unfair divorce settlement and how her in-laws become obsessed with a painting she owns). Isabel has an affair with an older man, Roxanne's ex-uncle-in-law, and this is perceived as something common in France.The overall story felt lacking in substance. It moves at a lethargic pace. The ending is very Hollywood.Pierre L'homme's stunning cinematography gives us a nice view of France. Some of the dialogues are quite witty and charming. The actors do a fine job. Naomi Watts steals the show once again. She displays Roxanne's vulnerability, despair and strength with gusto. Kate Hudson pulls off Isabel with natural charm. Tierry L'hermitte, Gleen Close, Stockard Channing, Leslie Caron, Stephen Fry, Romain Duris and Sam Waterston provide great support.Overall, 'Le Divorce' is not in the league of the gems created by the Ivory Merchant team. It has the performances working for it and the nice shots of France.
AD
