Divorcing Jack (1998)

76% of users liked it
(884 ratings)

On the eve of near-future Northern Ireland's first general election, well-marketed reformer Michael Brinn (Robert Lindsay), a shoo-in for prime minister, has newspaper columnist Dan Starkey's dander up. Working the election beat alongside visiting Boston Globe writer Charles Parker (Richard Gant),… More On the eve of near-future Northern Ireland's first general election, well-marketed reformer Michael Brinn (Robert Lindsay), a shoo-in for prime minister, has newspaper columnist Dan Starkey's dander up. Working the election beat alongside visiting Boston Globe writer Charles Parker (Richard Gant), Starkey (David Thewlis) watches his pointed barbs slide off Brinn's Teflon-coated backside. Drowning his troubles in drink in a Belfast park, Starkey invites beautiful art student Margaret (Laura Fraser) to a friend's party, unaware of her ties to both the IRA and to Brinn's political party. When Starkey's wife (Laine Megaw) catches him canoodling with Margaret, she kicks Starkey out and he ends up in Margaret's bed. When the girl turns up mortally wounded a mere day later, mouthing the words "divorcing Jack" just before her death rattle, Starkey finds himself a suspect in the murder. Donning a ridiculous wig and going on the lam, he must fend off a nationwide manhunt while tracing the connection between Margaret's death and the upcoming election. Shown at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival, this British/French co-production marked director David Caffrey's feature debut. Irish writer Colin Bateman adapted his own novel, one of several to feature Starkey as a protagonist. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: David Caffrey
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 14, 1998 Wide

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Candy R

Funny black comedy about a journalist Dan Starkey who has a fling with a girl who is then murdered. He is being hunted by everyone for the murder as she was the daughter of a policitan. He sets out to find her murderer to clear his name. Set against the backdrop of the political scene… More
Funny black comedy about a journalist Dan Starkey who has a fling with a girl who is then murdered. He is being hunted by everyone for the murder as she was the daughter of a policitan. He sets out to find her murderer to clear his name. Set against the backdrop of the political scene in Northern Ireland, it is satirical, irreverent (with a nun-o-gram striper) and ultimately about love (Dan's wife is accused of murder and then kidnapped).

Cast

            David Thewlis as Dan Starkey

            Rachel Griffiths as Lee Cooper

            Robert Lindsay as Michael Brinn

            Jason Isaacs as Cow Pat Keegan

            Laura Fraser as Margaret

            Richard Gant as Charles Parker

            Bronagh Gallagher as Taxi Driver

            Barbara Adair as Old Woman

            Kitty Aldridge as Agnes Brinn

            Sean Caffrey as Joe

            John Keegan as Father Flynn

            Ian McElhinney as Alfie Stewart

            Birdy Sweeney as Lift Attendant

            Phillip Young as FTP Skinhead

            Derek Halligan as Frankie

            George Shane as Woods

            B.J. Hogg as Billy McCoubrey

            Alan McKee as Mouse

            Laine Megaw as Patricia

            Adam Black as Young Starkey

            Simon Magill as Starkey's Brother

            Brian Devlin as Dans' work mate

            Katie Tumelty as Reporter

            Gerard Quinn as Pizza Shop Boy

            Dale Kirkpatrick as Robert Brinn

            Jonathan Collier as Robert Brinn

            Thomas Hourican as Sod

            Danny Kelly as Space Hopper Man

            Frank Mannion as Finbar Kelly

            Colin Murphy as Giblet O'Gibber

            John Linehan as Announcer

            Paddy Rocks as Mad Dog

            Patrick Duncan as Waiter

            Dick Holland as Crony

            James Duran as Hood

            Norman Hagan as Balaclava

            Brendan McNally as Postal

            Alison Black as Radio Newsreader

            Alec Fennell as Radio Newsreader

            Christine Bleakley as Radio Newsreader

            Stephen Nolan as Radio Newsreader

            Chris Buckler as Radio Newsreader

            Stephen Cavanagh as Punk

            Robert Cooper as Civil Servant
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started

Divorcing Jack (1998)

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Candy R

Cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!