Le Divorce (2003)
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36% of critics liked it
(136 reviews) -
25% of users liked it
(17,502 ratings)
Based on the 1997 National Book Award-nominated novel of the same name by Diane Johnson (co-writer of the script for Stanley Kubrick's The Shining), Le Divorce is a romantic comedy from director James Ivory. Revisiting the "Americans in France" theme that Ivory explored in 1998's A… More Based on the 1997 National Book Award-nominated novel of the same name by Diane Johnson (co-writer of the script for Stanley Kubrick's The Shining), Le Divorce is a romantic comedy from director James Ivory. Revisiting the "Americans in France" theme that Ivory explored in 1998's A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, the film stars Kate Hudson as Isabel Walker. When she receives word that her pregnant poetess sister Roxy (Naomi Watts) has been left by her philandering French husband, artist Charles-Henri de Persand (Melvil Poupaud), Isabel offers her help and moral support. As the depressive Roxy struggles with the separation proceedings -- which include the rights to ownership of a work of art that's a family heirloom -- Isabel takes a job with author Olivia Pace and has a fling with the bohemian Yves (Romain Duris). But things get complicated when the younger, more impudent sister decides instead to pursue Charles' uncle, the snooty, married diplomat Edgar (Thierry Lhermitte), and when a mysterious man (Matthew Modine) starts stalking Roxy. Eventually, the rest of the plucky Walker clan has to come to the aid of the siblings. Stockard Channing and Sam Waterston co-star. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Directed By
- James Ivory
- Written By
- James Ivory, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Aug 8, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox Film
Critic Reviews
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Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Quite le drag.
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Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
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.
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Tom Long, Detroit News
It is a well-dressed film filled with thought and sly observations.
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Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
It pokes along like a Renault on an interstate, lacking drama or momentum.
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Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It's all perfectly pleasant, but the movie lacks an urgent dramatic pulse, or a clear sense of whose story it's supposed to be, or even, from scene to scene, whether it's meant to be a comedy, drama or thriller.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Kate Hudson
as Isabel Walker
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Naomi Watts
as Roxeanne de Persand
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Jean-Marc Barr
as Maitre Bertram
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Leslie Caron
as Suizanne de Persand
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Stockard Channing
as Margreeve Walker
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Glenn Close
as Olivia Pace
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Romain Duris
as Yves
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Stephen Fry
as Piers Janely
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Samuel Labarthe
as Antoine de Persand
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Thomas Lennon
as Roger Walker
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Thierry Lhermitte
as Edgar Cosset
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Daniel Mesguich
as Louvre Expert
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Matthew Modine
as Tellman
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Bebe Neuwirth
as Julia Manchevering
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Melvil Poupaud
as Charles-Henri de Persand
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Nathalie Richard
as Charlotte de Persand
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Catherine Samie
as Madame Florian
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Sam Waterston
as Chester Walker
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Rona Hartner
as Magda
- Lambert Wilson
