DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE

US, 1967, 109 minutes, Colour.
Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Simmons, Van Johnson, Jason Robards Jr., Joe Flynn, Shelley Berman, Martin Gabel, Lee Grant, Tom Bosley.
Directed by Bud Yorkin.

Divorce American Style take its title from the Marcello Mastroianni vehicle Divorce Italian Style. There was a lot of social comment in the 160s especially as we moved into the 'permissive' phase. Films like this are not as profound as their European counterparts. However, they are quite perceptive on American customs - and designed for American popular consumption. This film starts very well indeed but unfortunately runs out of steam and moves towards more conventional grounds in the latter half. However, some of the sequences are very well done indeed with emphasis on humorous editing and music.

The writer is Norman Lear, a profound influence on American television in the '60s and '70s, especially with such series as All In The Family. Director is Bud Yorkin, who has not directed many feature films but they include Neil Simon's Come Blow Your Horn, the Alan Arkin version of Inspector Clouseau. The cast is very good indeed, especially as somewhat cast against type. Dick Van Dyke was emerging as a cinema actor in this period after his success in Mary Poppins. Debbie Reynolds was doing more adult roles. Jean Simmons, towards the end of her screen career, is good in a supporting role. Van Johnson sends himself up and there are such interesting actors and actresses as Joe Flynn, Shelley Berman and Lee Grant in small supporting roles. This kind of film became staple for many television series and telemovies of the '70s and '80s.

1. The value of satire as entertainment, probing comment on social situations, a mirror to society? The quality and value of humour? Message and point? Audiences identifying with characters and situations? Being jolted? The qualities of this film as satire?

2. The title and its borrowing from Italian social comedy satires? The expectations of American audiences for television response to family situations? This film as jolting the expectations? Social observation, American life style and criticism of it, background to a more permissive approach and frank treatment of themes and issues?

3. Expectations from the stars and their reputations? From comedy? The background of situation comedy? The breaking through of expectations, even in the stars' performances? The satire in domestic comedy? The presentation of Los Angeles, the atmosphere of the American city, the American home - with its luxuries and gadgets?

4. The value of the editing for pace and for comedy? The various collages e.g. the opening with the orchestration of the suburban bickering, resumed at the end? The argument between Richard and Barbara and their use of the home gadgets to press home points (and the irony of their being listened in to by their son)? The build-up to the party and the opening of the door, the greeting of the guests, the bickering afterwards? The comedy of the various children meeting their in-laws on the day out - the various introductions, the cars going off, the mistakes made? The humour of the editing, the possibility of editorial comment and satire?

5. The portrait of the average American family? The 25 years of marriage, the long struggles, the breaking through parental background, lack of money? Prestige, status, executive positions? Wealthy home and its layout, furnishings gadgets? The emphasis on position and status-and comparisons? The dominance of money? The changes during the years-of marriage? The fulfilment of homes and dream and their souring? Bickering, antagonism, the need for marriage counselling?

6. Richard as the average American male, husband, father? The argument? The party? Walking out? His friendship and the advice given to him by Lionel? The visit to Dede and his drunken state? The return home, the almost making up? Betraying himself? His relationship with his children? His living by himself, the antagonism towards Barbara? Taking his kids out? The friendship with Nelson and the explanation of the laws of divorce and alimony? The victimisation of the husband? Nancy and the flirtation with her? The humour of the outings e.g. to the bowls? The build-up to the divorce - the discussions with the lawyer, the build-up to the court case itself? The misery - and Barbara's momentary compunction? The American male by himself trying to make a new life and support his wife and children? (What might have happened had they gone to the counsellor?) The attempt to build up a new life? The inability to make a commitment to Nancy? The irony of the celebration of the divorce and Barbara’s being hypnotised? The happy but ironic ending with their returning to bickering?

7. Barbara as the average American woman, wife and mother? The fulfilment of her ambitions with her home? Her argument with her husband? The pleasant face to the neighbours and to the guests? Her girlfriends and talking about divorce? Suspicion, the fight about Dede Murphy? The outings with the kids? Her visit to the lawyer and the irony of David being a relation? The visit to the marriage counsellor and the satire on counselling? The build up to the court case? The irony of Big Al on the television and then the dates? The hypnotism and her deep love for her husband? The bickering happy ending?

8. The parallel and comparison with Nelson and Nancy? The long situation of divorce, the ever-present problems of money, Nelson and the kids, his trying to get a prospective husband for Nancy? His own relationship with Eunice? Nancy and Nelson plotting about Big Al? Their come-uppance?

9. The satire in Big Al's advertising, Van Johnson in the role, his TV style, relationship with the boys? Dating of Barbara? Nelson trying to attract him towards Nancy at the end?

10. The supporting cast and their contribution in terms of vignettes about the American way of life? Dede Murphy and her trying to help Richard? Farley and his representing remarried husbands? Eunice and her relationship with Nelson? The counsellor? The lawyer? The children? The judge conducting the bickering at the end?

11. How satisfying was the build-up towards the divorce coming through? The irony of dining out? The hypnosis and Barbara's participation? The wild dance? The final resolution with her kissing her husband?

12. How accurate the observation? How valuable the truth? Wit and satire? Character study? American and universal themes?