Divorce American Style *** (1967, Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Reynolds, Jason Robards, Jean Simmons) – Classic Movie Review 7,431

The acerbically witty 1967 comedy film Divorce American Style finds Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds well paired as a warring married couple. Norman Lear was an Oscar nominee for his screenplay.

Director Bud Yorkin’s acerbically witty 1967 comedy film Divorce American Style finds Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds well paired as warring married couple Richard and Barbara Harmon. They have been married 17 years and they have got the 17-year itch. Norman Lear was an Oscar nominee for his screenplay, written directly for the dcreen.

Van Dyke and Jason Robards play buddies who are struggling through the emotional and financial pitfalls of divorce (from Reynolds and Jean Simmons) in this sharp satirical comedy that bravely takes swipes at traditional American values.

Divorce American Style is bright and brash, with consistently attractive performances from a distinguished cast and an amusing, sometimes-biting screenplay, for which Norman Lear picked up a shared Oscar nomination. It is a 1968 Oscar nominee for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen for Robert Kaufman (story) and Norman Lear (screenplay).

Also in the cast are Van Johnson, Joe Flynn, Shelley Berman, Martin Gabel, Lee Grant, Tom Bosley, Dick Gautier, Pat Collins, Emmaline Henry, Tim Matheson, Gary Goetzman, Eileen Brennan, Shelley Morrison, Bella Bruck and John J Anthony.

In his only film performance, real-life marriage guidance counsellor John J Anthony plays the judge presiding over divorce proceedings.

The legendary Norman Lear celebrated his 100th birthday on 27 July 2022. This is his only Oscar nomination. He died of natural causes in his Los Angeles home on December 5, 2023, aged 101.

A spokeswoman for his family said he died ‘surrounded by his family as we told stories and sang songs until the very end. Norman lived a life in awe of the world around him. He marvelled at his cup of coffee every morning, the shape of the tree outside his window, and the sounds of beautiful music. But it was people – those he just met and those he knew for decades – who kept his mind and heart forever young.’

Norman Milton Lear (July 27, 1922 – December 5, 2023).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7,431

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