In the beginning, Le Divorce is an interesting enough movie. Kate Hudson is Isabel, who travels to France to be with her sister, Roxie, who is expecting her second child. However, the cab that brings Isabel is also the vehicle that takes away her brother-in-law, to places we do not yet know.

Eventually, we discover that there is to be a divorce and there is another woman. The lovers aren't terribly important to the story, but those who love them are. The woman is also married to an American, a seeming lunatic, played very poorly by Matthew Modine. No, to be fair, it is the role that is poor, not Modine. The course of the movie covers 9 months or so, and all he does is run around obsessed about his wife and trying to get some attention.

Meanwhile, since she is in Paris, Isabel decides to do as the French do, and pursue a lover. Not so much pursue, as place herself in the position where she is available to be pursued. It's all rather civil. He's older, rich, and dignified. She's young and gorgeous. Neither seems to care overly much for the other, but carry on as if to fulfill from French stereotype they both hold in their heads.

From a narrative point of view, of course, it's rather convenient, since it allows the audience to wander around Paris, sort of in love, enjoying fabulous French cuisine and a little haute couture. You feel a little abused when Isabel has to actually ask which building is Notre Dame.

Once the divorce is underway, a significant subplot is introduced--that of le property. It seems Roxie's family owns a painting that currently resides in Roxie's apartment. Her husband believes he owns part of it and his family urge him to demand his cut.

These four basic threads--Roxie and the impending birth, Isabel and her paramour, the affair of the painting, and the lunatic husband--form the movie. And for the first hour, all is rather good. The story is unfolding nicely and there are enough amusements to keep the viewer intrigued.

It's at the end that the wheels get wretchedly wobbly. There are some gaping problems with the plot and time frame of the movie, but finally the whole package loses so much luster you just hope it will disappear. There's a particularly unfortunate scene on the Eiffel Tour that no doubt was meant to present a climax, but is rather embarrassing instead.

Merchant Ivory obviously wanted to create an ensemble cast (the impressive cast is listed in the beginning in perfect alphabetical order). But there is too much going on and not enough energy is given to any one thing or another. Kate Hudson is delightful, though.

Je found Le Divorce to be interesting at first but ultimately le bore.


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