"Effervescent in mood and light on content, Le Divorce gets by on charm." ason Anderson EYE WEEKLY "This spritely comedy of manners sparkles with many witty scenes that provide a glimpse into the cultural differences behind the continuing spats between the French and their highly emotional neighbors from across the ocean." Frederic and Mary SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH "The film's most successful performances come from those actors who have a subtle but firm grip on their otherwise skimpy characters. Lhermitte and Caron, in particular." Joe Baltake SACRAMENTO BEE "Ivory's direction is so polished and smooth and full of smart observations that I never found my attention lagging." Edward Guthmann, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "Often amusing, thanks largely to the effervescent Hudson, the Parisian locales and the film’s humorous references to the oil-and-water differences between the French and the Americans." Jack Garner ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE "A charming, always-engaging comedy of manners." Eric Harrison HOUSTON CHRONICLE

"Utterly charming and not without those subtle insights into character and culture that mark [Merchant Ivory's] best films." Kirk Honeycutt HOLLYWOOD REPORTER" "A nice return to form for Ivory and company." Glenn Kenny PREMIERE MAGAZINE "It is a well-dressed film filled with thought and sly observations." Tom Long DETROIT NEWS "Features a number of very good performances." Wesley Morris BOSTON GLOBE "What sets the movie apart is the way it creates casually realistic characters and a compelling family dynamic." Eugene Novikov FILM BLATHER

At A Glance

"Witty, charming and oh so very french, "Le Divorce" is well worth having a look at. It's not great but it is in so many quirky ways a lot of fun to watch. The cast is delightful as is the dialogue and the soundtrack running in the background is very much in the french style. Richard Surfield THE MOVIE PAGES

While there are many ways in which films are rated by critics the truth is that there really are only two types of films The ones the public likes and the ones they don't. Of course to what degree they like or dislike a film often depends on what film critics have to say. Take "Le Divorce". Is it a huge film? Not by any standard. Is it a film with broad appeal? Probably not. Is it the sort of film that people would rush out just to see? Don't think so. Is it a film that has received good critical support in the various forms of media? Not really. Does it mean that "Le Divorce" isn't worth seeing? Definatelty not! For those out there who fall into the catagory of 'francophiles', that is those who love charming, quirky, character driven French films, "Le Divorce" will be a pleasant experience, and a satifying one too. A mixture of French and American traditions fill this lovely little tale of an American woman, married to a Frenchman who has found a lover and who then chooses to leave his wife on the very day her sister is arriving from America. The little clash of cultures is captured delightfully and distinctly by "Le Divorce". While the story line is interesting, the bonus in seeing "Le Divorce" comes from the cast who bring its many characters to life with a dialogue made all the more richer by combining both the English and French languages with, at the appropriate moments, subtitles. "Le Divorce" like so many of these stylized smaller films allows viewers much room to move within its rich framework of characters, dialogue and images. It's obvious that much of that movement has been captured by the scriptwriter, producer and director James Ivory through his observations of the French style of living and the feeling of being there. James Ivory, who has been traveling regularly to France for the last 50 years, fell in love with Diane Johnson's book "Le Divorce" when he read it six years ago. "It was a book that made me laugh. I know Paris very well, and the French characters Diane wrote about were very recognizable to me in simultaneously truthful and amusing ways. The novel seemed to be an especially apt project for Merchant Ivory because it is a story of human relations between two clashing cultures," he said, "a theme that has always interested us." Of interest to readers is the fact that Merchant Ivory is a combining of two cultures through Indian born Ismail Merchant and American born James Ivory. Their success with such films as "Howards End", "A Room With A View" and "The Remains Of The Day" will not have gone unnoticed by regular cinema-goers. Renown the world over for their marvellous 'period piece' productions, "Le Divorce" is a bold attempt at an unashadely comic production. Perhaps their departure from their normal style of films is what has raised the ire of American critics or did it come at a time when, thanks to the Iraq war, relations between the USA and France were very strained. The critics need not have worried on that count for the French have a way of straining relations with just about every nation and nationality. Just ask any tourist who has visited their delightful country. Ismail Merchant is well aware that Merchant Ivory has been 'catagorized' by many over the years as a period drama producer. "There is a pervading myth that Merchant Ivory only makes period dramas, he said. "But the truth is that in the 41 years we've been making films together our films are exactly divided 50/50 into modern stories and those set in the past. For us, it doesn't matter if a story is period or contemporary so long as it's a strong narrative with wonderful characters because that is the hallmark of good filmmaking. It always comes down to that," he adds. Well its good to get one point right, after all I did spot that this is a film filled with wonderful chatacters. So what were his impressions of the novel "le Divorce" by Diane Johnson? Did it have the two qualities Merchant Ivory look for? "This book had both qualities, as well as a unique perspective on the comic differences between French and American cultures," he says. And of course the settings are wonderful with a distinctive panorama and kaleidescope of images to dress the film so wonderfully. Without being overbearing I might add. James Ivory explains "I knew that one of the stars of "Le Divorce" would be the city of Paris itself, but I wanted to avoid the awestruck look of a travelogue and provide a more intimate and authentic view of the city's charms." There's no doubting that the locations used give viewers a chance to see the many sides to this remarkable city. The shifting mood of these locations was captured by cinematographer Pierre Lhomme, who has collaborated with Merchant Ivory on three previous productions. "We wanted the film's look to be simply realistic and rather discreet," Lhomme explained. And, having been to Paris and having travelled up the dizzying heights of its landmark monument, I was particularly pleased to see the Eiffel Tower make a grand appearance in "Le Divorce". For Lhomme it was very special. "It was a great opportunity to have been on the third floor of the Eiffel Tower very early before the tourist rush, and to see the day rising above Paris." And what difficulties were presented when shooting later in the day as the tourist rush began? Lhomme explains that it wasn't all that easy. "We had to shoot on the observation deck at the top from 6:30am to 9:30am. Then, as the tourists were let up, progress downwards with all of our equipment to the second level from 10:30am. to 1:30pm, then farther down to the lower level from 3pm till 6pm", he said. A lot of care and hard work has gone into producing "Le Divorce" as you can see. It would be a pity if it all went unnoticed. Don't you think so? The city, the passion, the clash of cultures, the romance and the laughs. It's all here in "Le Divorce". Cast & crew Facts "Le Divorce" is Directed by James Ivory ["The Golden Bowl", "A Room With A view", "Howards End" and "Bombay Talkie"] and is adapted from the novel by Diane Johnson who also wrote the screenplay for "The Shining". The screenplay was written by James Ivory and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala ["The Remains of the Day", "The Bostonians", "Heat and Dust" and the 1969 film "The Guru"].
"Le Divorce" stars Kate Hudson ["200 Cigarretes", "Gossip", All About Adam" and "The Four Feathers"], Naomi Watts ["Dangerous Beauty", "Flirting", "Mulholland Drive" and "The Ring"], Glenn Close ["The Big Chill", "Dangerous Liaisons", "101 Dalmations" and "The Safety Of Objects"], Thierry Lhermitte ["The Closet", "An American Werewolf In Paris", "A Private Affair" and "Snowboarder"], Stockard Channing ["Sweet Revenge", "Married To It", "Six Degrees of Seperation" and "Where The Heart Is"] and Leslie Caron ["Chocolat", "Funny Bones", "The Genius", "The Reef" and "Fatale"]. The Story

"A delightful blend of American sensibility and French chaos in a movie that is sunny, surprising and consistently entertaining." Rex Reed NEW YORK OBSERVER

Charles-Henri de Persand has decided to leave his pregnant wife Roxeannes on the day her sister Isabel arrives from the US. Roxeanne is adamant that Charles will not get two things. A divorce or her families painting which is kept in their Paris home. Like all things French the seperation soon becomes messy as Roxeanne becomes more pregnant and more emotional. To make matters worse her sister becomes involved with french dipolmat Edgar Cosset, who is not only notorious for bedding young women but just happens to be Roxeannes Uncle by marriage. Then Charles's lovers husband arrives on the scene. He is distraught and becomes emotionally unstable. In an effort to ensure that the families heirloom painting does not become part of the divorce settlement Roxeanne and Isobels family decide that they will visit their daughters in Paris and provide much needed support. Then, just when Roxeanne gains support from a surprise quarter, tragedy strikes. It will reshape everyones lives. The Verdict "Un petit nombre délicieux qui exploite les différences et les perceptions de deux cultures, Français et Américains. Intéressant voir juste pour l'ensemble ordonné moulez fournit une variété de caractères dont tout le qui sont understanably très intrigants. Les Naomi watts et le Kate Hudson de font bien dans les rôles de fil. Petites courses mauvaises de bande sonore dans le fond. Le divorce est un vrai petit agrippeur d'une attention." The Cast

Kate Hudson Naomi Watts Jean-Marc Barr Leslie Caron Stockard Channing Glenn Close Romain Duris Stephen Fry Samuel Labarthe Thomas Lennon Thierry Lhermitte Daniel Mesguich Matthew Modine Bebe Neuwirth Melvil Poupaud Nathalie Richard Catherine Samie Sam Waterston Esmée Buchet-Deàk Jean-Marie Lhomme Jean-Jacques Pivert Marianne Borgo

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Isabel Walker Roxeanne de Persand Maître Bertram Suzanne de Persand Margeeve Walker Olivia Pace Yves Piers Janely Antoine de Persand Roger Walker Edgar Cosset Louvre Expert Tellman Julia Manchevering Charles-Henri de Persand Charlotte de Persand Madame Florian Chester Walker Gennie de Persand Immigration Officer Talkative Shoekeeper Ballet Mistress

The Crew Directed by James Ivory Adapted from the novel by Diane Johnson Screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala & James Ivory Cinematography by Pierre Lhomme Film Editing by John David Allen Original Music by Richard Robbins Casting by Annette Trumel Production Design by Frédéric Bénard Set Decoration by Sabine Delouvrier Costume Design by Annie Périer & Carol Ramsey Run Time 117 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2003 - Fox Searchlight Films - All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2003 - Impact Internet Services & The Movie Pages - All Rights Reserved