Divorce American Style (1967)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Bud Yorkin

Writers:

Robert Kaufman (story)
Norman Lear (writer)

Release Date:

21 June 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

After 17 years, things have got too predictable and stale. They argue, they visit a marriage counselor...

Plot Keywords:

Divorce

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Dick Van Dyke	...	Richard Harmon
Debbie Reynolds	...	Barbara Harmon
Jason Robards	...	Nelson Downes
Jean Simmons	...	Nancy Downes
Van Johnson	...	Al Yearling
Joe Flynn	...	Lionel Blandsforth
Shelley Berman	...	David Grieff
Martin Gabel	...	Dr. Zenwinn
Lee Grant	...	Dede Murphy
Pat Collins	...	Herself
Tom Bosley	...	Farley
Emmaline Henry	...	Fern Blandsforth
Richard Gautier	...	Larry Strickland (as Dick Gautier)
Tim Matheson	...	Mark Harmon (as Tim Matthieson)
Gary Goetzman	...	Jonathan Harmon

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Echo Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

National General Production Inc.

Trivia:

Tim Matheson's movie debut.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the bathroom, Richard accidentally sprays water all over the mirror with when he fumbles with his WaterPic. Then Barbara walks over to the mirror and it's clean and dry.

Quotes:

Dede Murphy: So, since when do men grow up? They just grow old. You know what I call this apartment sometimes? Boys' Town.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Taxi: Love Un-American Style (#5.1)" (1982)

A Nearly Forgotten Gem from the 60's...

DIVORCE American STYLE was an offbeat and surprisingly adult (for 1967) that starred Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds as Richard and Barbara Harmon, a wealthy California couple who divorce after 17 years of marriage and the adjustments both try to make being single once more. Smartly directed by Bud Yorkin and co-written by future TV icon Norman Lear, this biting satire died at the box office at the time of release, but is really a well-made and quite revealing comedy about the ins and outs of marriage, divorce, and all the little banalities that these subjects bring about. Yorkin directs with a master hand here...I love the scene right after Richard and Barbara's dinner party where they undress for bed in total silence, getting in each other's way but not saying a word to each other, just "Bury you in six feet under" looks. Or when Richard and his best friend (Joe Flynn)and Barbara and her best friend (Emmaline Henry) arrive at the bank at the same time to clean out their bank accounts and safety deposit box...another scene done with no dialogue but so smartly staged, dialogue is not needed. The supporting cast is first rate...Jason Robards is surprisingly funny as Nelson Downs, a divorce victim who tries to set Richard up with his ex (the lovely Jean Simmons) so that he doesn't have to pay alimony anymore. Lee Grant, Tom Bosley, Van Johnson, Eileen Brennan, Shelley Berman, and Dick Gautier also contribute funny bits. A very young Tim Matheson also appears as Richard and Barbara's eldest son. This delicious and slightly twisted comic confection from the mind of Norman Lear is a delight from beginning to end and if you've never seen it, it's worth a look.