Le Divorce (2003)

Synopsis: When two American sisters become caught up in the intimate intrigue of Paris, cultures and human passions collide - and the result is a comedy of manners and morals, money and marriage, sex and... When two American sisters become caught up in the intimate intrigue of Paris, cultures and human passions collide - and the result is a comedy of manners and morals, money and marriage, sex and sorority that sheds incandescent light on what it means to be an American abroad. LE DIVORCE follows the journey of Isabel Walker (Kate Hudson), a quintessential young Californian newly arrived in the City of Light to visit her pregnant sister, Roxeanne (Naomi Watts). A darkly romantic poet, Roxy has just been jilted by her scoundrel husband, Charles-Henri de Persand (Melvil Poupaud), and it appears they are headed for "le divorce." Meanwhile, Isabel leaps into l'amour with a married French diplomat (Thierry Lhermitte) who happens to be the uncle of Roxy's soon-to-be-ex. As scandal ensues, the American idealism and irrepressible spirit of the Walker sisters comes up against the French sophistication and stubborn rationalism of the Persand family. Complicating the two families' relations is a painting in Roxy's possession that is discovered to be worth millions of dollars. And then, quite suddenly, a crime of passion disrupts all the scheming and culture clashes - and opens up new possibilities for understanding. Based on the best-selling novel by Diane Johnson, LE DIVORCE is a new twist on the classic American-in-Paris theme. At a time when French and American cultures have seemingly never been more embattled, LE DIVORCE reveals the rich complexity of the two cultures - and their compellingly different attitudes toward morality, sex, food, fashion, and the very pursuit of life. But at its core, LE DIVORCE is really about its irrepressible heroine, Isabel Walker, who arrives in Paris to help her sister - only to discover her own desires and viewpoint on the world. LE DIVORCE is directed by three-time Academy Award® nominee James Ivory (THE REMAINS OF THE DAY, HOWARDS END, A ROOM WITH A VIEW). Two-time Academy Award-winning writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (A ROOM WITH A VIEW, HOWARDS END) and Ivory adapted the script from Johnson's novel. The film is produced by four-time Oscar® nominee Ismail Merchant and Michael Schiffer. The award-winning cast of LE DIVORCE includes Kate Hudson (ALMOST FAMOUS) and Naomi Watts (MULHOLLAND DRIVE), as well as Jean-Marc Barr (BREAKING THE WAVES, THE BIG BLUE), Leslie Caron (GIGI, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS), Stockard Channing (SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS), Glenn Close (DANGEROUS LIAISONS, FATAL ATTRACTION), Romain Duris (PEUT-ETRE, GADJO DILO), Stephen Fry (GOSFORD PARK, WILDE), Thomas Lennon (HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS, A GUY THING), Thierry Lhermitte (THE DINNER GAME, SEVEN SUNDAYS), Matthew Modine (SHORT CUTS, THE SHIPMENT), Bebe Neuwirth (TADPOLE, SUMMER OF SAM), Melvil Poupaud (THOSE WERE THE DAYS, LA FILLE DE 15 ANS), Nathalie Richard (LE VENTRE DE JULIETTE, MAINTENANT) and Sam Waterston (THE KILLING FIELDS, I'LL FLY AWAY). [More]

Starring: Kate Hudson, Naomi Watts, Leslie Caron, Stockard Channing

Starring: Kate Hudson, Naomi Watts, Leslie Caron, Stockard Channing, Glenn Close, Stephen Fry, Thierry Lhermitte, Matthew Modine, Bebe Neuwirth, Sam Waterston, Melvil Poupaud

Director: James Ivory

Director: James Ivory
Screenwriter: James Ivory, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Producer: Ismail Merchant, Michael Schiffer
Composer: Richard Robbins
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

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