Review of Le Divorce (2003) by Nicks. — 03 Aug 2003

Usually when I watch a film based on a bestseller that I haven't read, I run out to buy the book. Seabiscuit is a good example. I understand how tough it is to adapt a book but this film made it look impossible.

The film couldn't decide what it was about. I went in thinking that it was a romantic comedy but there was hardly any romance and no comedy!! I could count how many times I laughed on one hand. Throw in an attempted suicide, some murders, and depressed women and call that a comedy?!?! I don't think so.

Matthew Modine was the only funny character in the film but I'm pretty sure that he wasn't supposed to be. Kate Hudson plays the same character she always does and Naomi Watts was just plain ordinary.

I did enjoy the portrayal of the American family, especially when they were in Paris. Overall, I wasn't impressed with this film at all and thought it wasted a lot of talent and a gorgeous location with a mediocre script that couldn't decide what it wanted to be.

Merchant-Ivory should go back to period films because they have no idea how to make something else. But if you're fan of the book, it supposedly stays relatively true to it and other fans in the audience enjoyed the film.

If you're not a fan of the book, go see Bad Boys II.