This is the story of Phil (Burt Reynolds), who finds out his wife (Jessica played by Candace Bergen) in her narcissistic need for independence and a singing career has been having an affair and wants a divorce. Phil Potter leaves their Manhattan apartment for a much less swanky joint in Boston that he outfits with director chairs. His support system includes a Divorced Men's support group which meets in the basement of a church and has to vacate at the end of their hour for the twice as populated Divorced Women's Group. The other big support he has is in the form of his brother Mickey (Charles Durning) and his sister-in-law, Marva (Frances Sternhagen), who introduce him to school teacher Marilyn (Jill Clayburgh). Marilyn is three parts awkward, terribly honest and the perfect match for Phil...who is still a little hung up on his wife Jessica.
Jessica is an actual wreck or should I say wrecking ball! And I don't know what anyone else thought but, her singing which is Candace Bergen actually singing was terrible...truly terrible and would have had me running the other way! It's a good thing she shows up with a see-through shirt!
The men's group provides a lot of the comedy in this film...which really is a dark comedy and not like the romantic comedies of the 1980's and 1990's.
One thought struck me and probably rings true for a lot of men who are separated or divorced, it's hard to get physical with another woman because it feels like you are cheating on your wife.
I appreciated Marilyn's honesty, it was very endearing and probably just what Phil needed. I also appreciated that Phil was persistent and not deterred. I am not sure that I was 100% satisfied with the ending, but I sure hope Phil makes up for it.
My favorite seen came in the form of a fund raising "dunk the teacher" dunk tank. Having had that experience with my mom being the teacher in the tank and me having played baseball and softball since I was five...really brought back some fond memories and was probably the biggest laugh I had during the film.
Lots to enjoy, but with a very melancholy overtone and a snowy holiday backdrop that includes thanksgiving and Christmas (it was funny when the parents tell their kid to eat faster so they can leave the holiday table so the couple can fight!). I'm not sure I would recommend this to Christmas movie fans or romantics, but I probably would recommend this to people going through a separation or divorce...especially the men. This was a well acted an unapologetic film and I respect that.
There was something really sad about watching a husband and wife undressing to get in to bed together with no connection or love.
Jessica is an actual wreck or should I say wrecking ball! And I don't know what anyone else thought but, her singing which is Candace Bergen actually singing was terrible...truly terrible and would have had me running the other way! It's a good thing she shows up with a see-through shirt!
The men's group provides a lot of the comedy in this film...which really is a dark comedy and not like the romantic comedies of the 1980's and 1990's.
One thought struck me and probably rings true for a lot of men who are separated or divorced, it's hard to get physical with another woman because it feels like you are cheating on your wife.
I appreciated Marilyn's honesty, it was very endearing and probably just what Phil needed. I also appreciated that Phil was persistent and not deterred. I am not sure that I was 100% satisfied with the ending, but I sure hope Phil makes up for it.
My favorite seen came in the form of a fund raising "dunk the teacher" dunk tank. Having had that experience with my mom being the teacher in the tank and me having played baseball and softball since I was five...really brought back some fond memories and was probably the biggest laugh I had during the film.
Lots to enjoy, but with a very melancholy overtone and a snowy holiday backdrop that includes thanksgiving and Christmas (it was funny when the parents tell their kid to eat faster so they can leave the holiday table so the couple can fight!). I'm not sure I would recommend this to Christmas movie fans or romantics, but I probably would recommend this to people going through a separation or divorce...especially the men. This was a well acted an unapologetic film and I respect that.
There was something really sad about watching a husband and wife undressing to get in to bed together with no connection or love.