Divorce in American (1967)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Divorce in American |
| Original title | Divorce American Style |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1967 |
| length | 109 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Bud Yorkin |
| script |
Norman Lear Robert Kaufman |
| production | Norman Lear |
| music | Dave Grusin |
| camera | Conrad L. Hall |
| cut | Ferris Webster |
| occupation | |
| |
Divorce American is a 1967 American comedy film .
action
After 16 years of marriage, Barbara and Richard Harmon live in luxury. Their Los Angeles home is well furnished, they have an expensive car and two well-behaved sons. Despite the material comforts, Barbara suffers from a lack of communication with her husband. She seeks out a marriage counselor, which soon leads to an argument with Richard. The couple want to get a divorce. The judge takes Barbara's side and gives Richard a very low share of just under $ 90 a week.
When Richard is spending a weekend with his two sons, he meets Nelson Downes. Nelson is also divorced and suffers from the horrendous alimony payments. Therefore he tries with all his might to find a new husband for his ex-wife Nancy. Nelson talks to Nancy, whom Richard likes. She agrees to marry Richard, on condition that Barbara also finds a new husband.
They believe they have found the right candidate in Big Al Yearling, a successful car dealer. In fact, Barbara replies to the seller's referral. The evening before the Harmons' divorce becomes final, everyone involved, including Nelson's new fiancée, the pregnant Eunice, meet in a nightclub. Barbara allows hypnotist Pat Collins to include her on his show. After doing a striptease, Collins urges her to go into the audience and kiss the man she really loves. Barbara goes to Richard and kisses him heartily. The divorce is now forgotten. Barbara and Richard go home while Nelson refuses to give up and tries to spark Nancy's interest in Big Al.
criticism
The Lexicon of International Films described the film as a "high-spirited comedy with some wit, good actors and an excellent director."
Cinema magazine drew the conclusion: "A marital war that is fun for everyone involved."
Bosley Crowther, of the New York Times, found that the anti-social issues were not as funny or pointed as intended. In fact, the film is rather depressing, angry and saddening, largely because it torments himself to turn a serious topic into a joke.
The Variety , however, saw a striking example of comedy and satire as a weapon of social torpedoing the bad habits in the film.
Roger Ebert of the "Chicago Sun-Times" described the film as cunning and likeable, directed by Bud Yorkin with understanding and style and brilliantly played by the actors.
The Protestant film observer is full of praise : “A tragicomic story about a negative appearance of the 'amercan way of life' [...], portrayed with humor, but with a very serious, sometimes harsh, socio-critical background. Good acting and excellent directing. Highly recommended."
Awards
In 1968 Robert Kaufman and Norman Lear were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Norman Lear was also for the WGA Award of the Writers Guild of America nominated.
At the Laurel Award ceremony , Debbie Reynolds took third place for best female actress in a comedy .
background
The film premiered on June 21, 1967. The film was released in Germany on October 6, 1967.
Web links
- Divorce American in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Divorce in American. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film Service , accessed January 17, 2011 .
- ↑ Critique of Cinema
- ↑ Critique of the New York Times (Eng.)
- ↑ Critique of Variety (English) ( Memento of the original from October 21, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Critique of the Chicago Sun-Times (Eng.)
- ↑ Evangelischer Presseverband München, Review No. 493/1967
