Divorce, Le 2003

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: Features a number of very good performances. Read more

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: It pokes along like a Renault on an interstate, lacking drama or momentum. Read more

Connie Ogle, Miami Herald: This is an insignificant film with a passably entertaining premise that goes wildly to hell the instant it strays from its comic ideals with brief, unsatisfying detours into the realms of art and high-end lingerie. Read more

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: ... a flat comedy/melodrama combo filled with stereotypes about snooty French and gauche Americans. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: Breezy pleasure, complete with cultural commentary that never quite stings. Read more

Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune: Somehow lacks lightness and weight. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: A thin and unsatisfying concoction that somehow manages to make one of the richest and most durable sources of culture-clash comedy into an occasion for dullness. Read more

Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: It's all perfectly pleasant, but the movie lacks an urgent dramatic pulse, or a clear sense of whose story it's supposed to be, or even, from scene to scene, whether it's meant to be a comedy, drama or thriller. Read more

Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times: A film in which the City of Light's seductions and perils are as dimmed as the novelist's point and purpose. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: For me, the best reason to see this movie is that in the midst of her amusement Johnson feels sympathy and admiration for both cultures, and for all its glitz, the adaptation preserves and extends the same sentiments. Read more

Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle: A charming, always-engaging comedy of manners. Read more

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: For all that talent, and the lovely source material, there is something plodding about this comedy. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: A modern-day Merchant Ivory film, one of those blurry anachronistic duds. Read more

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: Feels like a period film in clumsy modern-day dressup. Read more

Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News: Starting with the artistic opening credits, it's an elegant film with literate dialogue. Read more

Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly: On the evidence of their new film, taking [Merchant-Ivory- Jhabvala] out of the hushed, brocaded drawing rooms of the past and into a more pop present brings a touch of sorely needed pep and froth to an oeuvre becalmed in solemn good taste. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: The script by Ivory and Jhabvala ... has removed all sense of nuance, which was what the original story was all about -- language, manners and the subtle degrees of attitude that mark one as French or American. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: Those who haven't read the book won't know what they're missing, and indeed will probably enjoy what they find here. Read more

Jami Bernard, New York Daily News: The boorish jokes about clueless Americans and ridiculous Frenchies are presented without finesse or point. Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: A delightful blend of American sensibility and French chaos in a movie that is sunny, surprising and consistently entertaining. Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: The Merchant -Ivory -Jhabvala triumvirate has once more scaled the heights of the 'cinema of manners' achieved in their repertoire of picture-perfect period pieces. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Characters are left half-developed or undeveloped so that as much plot as possible can be crammed into two hours. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: If you are familiar with France and have a love-hate affair with that most cryptic of nations, you are likely to enjoy the movie from moment to moment, whether or not it adds up for you. Read more

Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle: Ivory's direction is so polished and smooth and full of smart observations that I never found my attention lagging. Read more

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune: The film comes up short on insight into its characters. Read more

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Read more

Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star: The nuances of French and American cultural differences feel as imperviously old-hat. Read more

Time Out: Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: Entertaining as an adult romantic comedy, but then it switches gears to become a silly suspense thriller. Read more

David Rooney, Variety: Read more

David Ng, Village Voice: Entranced by the natives, Le Divorce reduces the knowing ditziness of Johnson's novel to vapid, exchange-student wonderment. Read more

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: Should have been a smart bit of cinematic froth but instead sinks like an overworked souffle. Read more