The Divorcee (1930)

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Actress

Norma Shearer

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

M-G-M

Best Directing

Robert Z. Leonard

Best Writing

John Meehan

It won 1 Oscar out of a total of 4 nominations in 1929-30.


The Divorcee is a drama about an unfaithful businesswoman named Jerry.  After becoming involved in an adulterous affair with another man, her marriage comes to an end.  As she begins to start a new life, she is filled with regrets about her actions and longs to reconnect with her ex-husband.

The film is based off of the bestselling novel, "Ex-Wife," by Ursula Parrott.  However, the film does not directly credit the novel as its source material, which was an attempt to disassociate the film from such a controversial book.  Only the author is credited.

Director, Robert Z. Leonard, would also not be given a directing credit for the film and, instead, be credited as a producer.  Despite this, he would still receive an Oscar nomination for Best Directing.

Norma Shearer had not been seriously considered for the leading role, as she was deemed to have very little sex appeal.  Even her husband, Irving Thalberg (who was the production head at MGM), did not believe she was right for the part.  It was only after Shearer commissioned a photo shoot to demonstrate her potential that she was finally given the coveted role.


Editorial:

This movie is enjoyable and offers an incredible performance by Norma Shearer.  Make no mistake, she is the reason to watch this picture.

Although much of the film plays out in a very subdued manner, there are two sequences that are particularly worth noting.  The first is an early sequence involving a car accident that is so technically well done, it becomes a stand-out moment.  The second is a very imaginative sequence in which a series of dates is told through the usage of hands.  It is actually a brilliant deviation away from the rest of the movie and slightly elevates the film as a whole.

The lack of discussion about the acceptable nature of unfaithful men versus the unacceptable nature of unfaithful woman is certainly a missed opportunity.  My only complaint would be that this seems to be clearly overlooked.  Especially for a Pre-Code film.

Score  |  05/10  |  This motion picture may be worth watching.