Divorce is one of the most dreadful experiences in the life of a large number of people. In the old days, this topic was unusual for Hollywood narrative. Now, some of the best films are about several dying marriages that illustrate the real feelings and problems of ending a marriage. Moreover, after same-sex marriage has finally become usual, the movies also depict same-sex divorces. This list will go through 15 of the most compelling movies about divorce.
15 best movies about divorce
‘Mascarpone’
Although several brilliant Hollywood movies about divorce illustrate the pain of such a complicated matter, some other countries also portray it through their eyes. Thus, Mascarpone is an Italian film about a gay man, Antonio, going through divorce. What makes Mascarpone distinct is the seamless way the scenario is familiar and wonderful. The main character, Antonio, is extremely lovely, and one only wants to support and encourage him, considering the fearfulness of the divorce. Maybe that is why Mascaporne became one of the quality films that portray the lives of unhappy couples. This is one of the best divorce movies.
‘Sweet Home Alabama’
Reese Witherspoon is brilliant in Sweet Home Alabama as Melanie Smooter. This film praises the importance of family. It illustrates a woman who returns to her native town for a divorce and realizes she is still in love with her husband. They are to be put back together. There is good chemistry between Josh Lucas and Reese Witherspoon. The picture implies the importance of strong family relations, showing that relationships are hard to break and that divorce is not a proper solution.
‘Our Son’
As same-sex marriage becomes more common in American life, same-sex divorces are also discussed more. Hollywood has been slow with this, but in 2023, the poignant movie Our Son was released. Luke Evans and Billy Porter play Nicky and Gabriel, a gay couple from California, quarreling about who is to take their son after a divorce. The points raised in the film are deeply emotional; through this the touching story, viewers can understand the reasons for separation. Nobody is completely right or wrong, making it even sadder and more relatable.
‘The Awful Truth’
In ‘The Awful Truth’ from 1937, Cary Grant and Irene Dunne portray a couple who file for divorce but then don’t let each other find a new significant other. The film represented classic comedies of that time – funny and wild. They were popular during the 1930s. In the end, they realize they were made for each other and are still in love. Unlike other films from this period, ‘The Awful Truth’ showed that divorce was not always a solution and that couples could truly love each other and continue living happily next to each other. It remains one of the best classic movies about divorce.
‘The War of the Roses’
Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito reunite again after filming ‘Roaming the Stone’ with a comedy ‘The War of the Roses’ in 1989. This time, Douglas and Turner are a couple, playing Oliver and Barbara Rose, who divorce and get involved in a very mean but funny fight. The war is cruel, straightforward, and sharp, but you still get to laugh. The film proved that DeVito was a talented director.
‘The Women’
George Cukor was famous for making movies about women, and ‘The Women’ is one of his best. The 1939 film was amazing, as, despite much attention being paid to men, it was about women, their needs, and what they desire. Mary, played by Norma Shearer, divorces her husband Stephen and returns to him in the end. ‘The Women’ was a great comedy with an awesome cast, including Joan Fontaine, Rosalind Russell, and Joan Crawford.
‘Gloria Bell’
Julianne Moore is notorious for her great acting. In ‘Gloria Bell’ from 2018, she plays a divorced woman who starts dating another divorced man with the fact that her children are grown up and no longer need her. Because it did not have a plot, the film impressed me as it was simply about a divorced woman who could live her own life with or without a man.
Movie ‘Steomom’
The movie is set in the late ‘90s, and Steomom does its best to focus on Susan Sarandon’s character, Jackie, who has to face her ex-husband’s new girlfriend and her own cancer. Sarandon’s intonation is captivating when she pronounces a firm denial of the disease. Julia Robert is also a good fit for Isabel, the new young girlfriend. As a movie about post-divorce struggle, ‘Steomom’ depicts separated people’s hardships and bitter moments. In a way, it may seem that some story moves are predictable and forced, but in general, the film is quite touching and thought-provoking.
‘Shoot the Moon’
There is a saying that the most loving and devoted couple may have the ugliest divorce. ‘Shoot the Moon’ reflects upon this hard wisdom. Played by Albert Finney and Diane Keaton, George and Faith can hardly ever remain a couple after a happy life together. The movie shows a quite nasty and truthful side of the divorce. Watching George and Faith so repulsive toward one another is hardly possible. However, this unpleasant honesty makes ‘Shoot the Moon’ turn so powerful and unforgettable.
‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’
In the 2010s, romantic comedies were not very popular, but this one enhanced the genre’s reputation. The movie features Steve Carell as Cal Weaver, a man going through a divorce. Cal meets a playboy, Jacob Palmer, who helps him switch to dating mode. Although there are many twists and comic moments, Cal realizes that life will continue even after divorce, and he may even have a second chance with his wife.
‘Kramer vs. Kramer’
‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ is a movie from the late 1970s that discusses the impacts of divorce on a child. Meryl Streep played Joanne Kramer, who left her husband and a son. The movie discusses the nasty business of fighting for the child in case of divorce, especially in court. Meanwhile, it reflects the views of the real characters and thus is so strong to watch even now.
‘Waiting to Exhale’
The 1995 film tells the story of four Black women, their struggles with relationships, and the strong friendships they have with each other. Two of them go through really difficult divorces. Angela Bassett’s character, Bernadine Harris, is especially fun to watch only because she gets back at her husband. That’s what he gets for divorcing her for someone else, and, as it turns out, she has given up everything for him. Still, as should be expected from a romantic film, they all find love again, but the film shows that the friendship between these women is the strongest. Friends are forever, after all.
‘Scenes from a Marriage’
In 1974, Ingmar Bergman turned his deeply moving miniseries ‘Scenes from a Marriage’ into a film. It tells the story of a family. More specifically, it is the story of Marianne and Johan’s marriage falling apart. The movie is really good at showing the complicated, heartwrenching messes, to put it lightly, that divorce turns out to be. Since it is rather short, you can still enjoy it. Many filmmakers were inspired by the film over the years, and it was even remade in 2021.
‘The Squid and the Whale’
The film ‘The Squid and the Whale’ by director Noah Baumbach is a great movie that focuses on two boys who are not at peace with their parents having separated. The use of humor in this movie is outstanding. It is one of the movies that Baumbach has directed that focuses on real-life struggles. The actors in the film, including Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline, who portrayed the two sons, Walt and Frank, respectively, and Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney, who played Bernard and Joan, also nailed their roles.
‘Something’s Gotta Give’
Nancy Meyers has made a romantic comedy that is incredibly smart and, at the same time, fine in all its aspects, and as a result, she has produced ‘Something’s Gotta Give’, which is an absolutely exciting movie. It centers on Jack Nicholson’s role as a charming bachelor who will never commit to any woman and Diane Keaton, a beloved divorced playwright. Not every filmmaker is as dedicated to the art of writing, and the talent of Meyers deserves our attention. Also, I should say that both lead actors are in fine form.
So, have you watched any of these movies about divorce? Share with us in the comments section.
If you’re in the mood for a real-life story, read the Lysa Terkeurst divorce article and how she found light amid heartbreak
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