Moviecut—The Divorcee

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source: The Divorcee

The Divorcee

This picture redeems Ms. Shearer's supposed reliance on her husband Irving Thalberg's influence to get her and keep her in good roles. She emotes, she sparkles, she holds your attention throughout this picture and brings life to what might have been just another early talkie pot-boiler. Some of the dialogue and sound are a little clumsy, probably due to lack of technique in the early talkie era. One can almost sense the hidden microphones on the set! Conrad Nagel is great in this too. Worth seeing at least once!

OK, it's in black and white and if you're used to computer animation and pyrotechnics, it'll seem "different." I thought it was sensitive and insightful and mirrored some of real life's difficult lessons. I thought it moved quickly and was very engaging. The fact that it was made in 1930 and was still as good as it is is a testimony to the screenplay and the underlying themes. If you like any variety of chick-flicks, you'll like this movie. If you have any interest in relationships, you'll like this movie. If you watch the movie and you don't like it because it's not in color, there are no special effects, etc. Then you need to get used to these old movies. Some of them are fabulous, and this is one of them. I shouldn't focus on the dating of it, but I enjoy considering the fact that this was made in 1930. This is 2005 and things haven't changed much, if at all. By the way, the acting was very good.

The scene where Norma Shearer begs Chester Morris to stay together in their marriage is truly riveting and powerful . It is one of the most truly amazing performances on film. I remember being so genuinely blown away by the beauty and power of that performance that I jumped out of my chair to grab the rental box positive she must have won an Oscar, she had. Very sexy movie, Robert Montgomery is smooth as always. I see some people found it hokey or contrived, I did not, The emotions covered here are as relevant today as in 1930. Attractive, complex characters. For the romantic in all of us, where decency and honor will prevail.

An intelligent, adult comedy-drama about men, women, marriage, double standards, and forgiveness. Thanks to the writing (often sophisticated), the direction (quite accomplished for a 1930 movie) and a first-rate cast, these characters, their feelings, their problems remain contemporary and relatable nearly 90 years later. *** out of 4.

Not only did Norma Shearer win an Academy Award for her performance, but the film itself was nominated for best picture of that year. Not "politically correct" by today's standards, Shearer still is defiant when she learns that her husband has been untrue and fights the "double standard" of morality codes between men and women.