Le Divorce

Le Divorce is a 2003 Merchant Ivory Productions' film directed by James Ivory. Screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala & James Ivory based on Diane Johnson's bestselling novel. The two leading roles were originally going to be played by Natalie Portman and Winona Ryder, but both dropped out a few weeks before filming began.

Storyline

The film tells the story of a young American woman Isabel Walker (Kate Hudson) who travels to Paris to visit her pregnant sister Roxy (Naomi Watts). Roxy's husband Charles-Henri left her for his lover Magda Tellman. Later on, Isabel secretly falls in love with her French uncle-in-law Edgar Cosset and becomes his mistress. Because of this, she becomes somewhat "popular" and because of being his mistress is showered with many gifts. Later, Roxy finds out that her husband has been murdered. The madness continues and it only goes downhill.

Select Cast

Starring

• Kate Hudson - Isabel Walker
• Naomi Watts - Roxeanne de Persand

Rest of Cast in Order of Appearance

• Melvil Poupaud - Charles-Henri de Persand
• Catherine Samie - Madame Florian
• Samuel Labarthe - Antoine de Persand
• Leslie Caron - Suzanne de Persand
• Thierry Lhermitte - Edgar Cosset
• Nathalie Richard - Charlotte de Persand
• Glenn Close - Olivia Pace
• Sam Waterston - Chester Walker
• Stockard Channing - Margeeve Walker
• Thomas Lennon - Roger Walker
• Romain Duris - Yves
• Humbert Balsan - Maitre Doisneau
• Bebe Neuwirth - Julia Manchevering
• Jean-Marc Barr - Maitre Bertram
• Rona Hartner - Magda Tellman
• Matthew Modine - Tellman
• Hélène Surgère - Lingerie Saleswoman
• Françoise Brion - Bookstore Owner
• Alan Ewing - Singer
• Daniel Mesguich - Louvre Expert
• Anne Canovas - Appraiser
• Stephen Fry - Piers Janely
• Esmée Buchet-Deàk - Gennie de Persand
• Bob lemon-head - as himself

Location

Le Divorce was filmed in Paris at locations including Café de Flore, Tour Eiffel, Musée du Louvre and Salle Gaveau (concert sequence, Alan Ewing and uncredited Les Arts Florissants member performed Marc-Antoine Charpentier's "Pleurons plutôt de présentes douleurs" from "Il faut rire et chanter: Dispute de bergers, H. 484" which was recorded previously with William Christie, but they performed again just for this film).

Music

Opening title music was Paul Misraki's "Qu'est-ce qu'on attend pour être heureux", sung by Patrick Bruel & Johnny Hallyday from Bruel's CD "Entre deux". End title music was Serge Gainsbourg's "L'Anamour", sung by Jane Birkin from her CD "Version Jane". But the film's Hermès's handbag was a Kelly Bag, not a Birkin.

External links

• Official Site