Posted: 08/16/2003

Le Divorce

(2003)

by Coco Delgado

Merchant-Ivory films usually mean two things: gorgeous views of great cities, and period costumes. Had I realised that Le Divorce was a Merchant-Ivory film, I might not have seen it; I have nothing against them, and I quite liked Room With a View, but if I want to see a film laden with incomprehensible symbolism, I’ll see something with subtitles, probably from China.

Uncharacteristically, this film is set in contemporary times…and it’s one of the few Merchant-Ivory films I’ve liked. I’m sure this is a reflection of its source material, Diane Johnson’s wildly popular novel “Le Divorce.” Lest you forget who made the film you’re enjoying, however, one subplot involves a painting of St. Ursula, a possibly important medieval work of art. Oh, yeah…this is an art film, after all…

Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts are believable as the pregnant sister whose husband’s left her and the flirtatious younger sister who comes to “help” during this difficult time; Sam Waterston and Stockard Channing, though I adore them both and wish they made more film appearances, are less believable as their parents. Glenn Close, Stephen Fry, Thierry l’Hermitte, Leslie Caron, Bebe Neuwirth, Matthew Modine…the cast is wonderfully varied. Tom Lennon, the poor man’s David Hyde Pierce, makes his third film appearance of the year (the others were A Guy Thing and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the latter also featuring Kate Hudson and Bebe Neuwirth) as the two expatriate women’s worrying brother.

The main problem with the film is the plot: It’s a bit of a draggy story at times, and scattered, but it does hold the viewer’s interest. It’s that it just can’t decide whether it wants to be a morality play, a French farce, a romantic comedy, an ensemble piece, or a travelogue. The scenes at the Eiffel Tower are definitely the high point. It’s a pleasant little film, and not at all a bad way to spend a couple of hours. The soundtrack is fun, too, filled with jazzy little French tunes ` la 8-1/2 Souvenirs/Django Rhienhart.

If nothing else, you’ll develop a craving for Gauloise cigarettes, creamy sauces, rich pastries and a good Bordeaux.

Coco Delgado is a freelance writer living in Boston and travelling the globe whenever she gets the chance.

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