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5.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Divorce Among Friends remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, “Divorce Among Friends”? It’s a definite watch if you’re into those wild pre-Code movies, where people actually talked like adults. If you love clever banter and folks pushing boundaries before the censors clamped down, you'll probably get a kick out of this one. But if you prefer modern pacing or plots that take themselves super seriously, you might find it a bit… quaint. Maybe even a little too much talk for its own good. 🎭
This film, it feels like it’s just daring you to blush. The whole premise, a married couple both stepping out, then trying to navigate the mess? That was pretty bold for its time. Not many movies now feel this unapologetic.
Lew Cody, he just oozes a kind of charming mischief as Mr. Morris. His character gets into these scrapes, and you can almost see him winking at the camera when he delivers a particularly naughty line. He’s got that smooth, slightly bewildered air of a man who knows he’s doing wrong but is just enjoying himself too much to stop.
There’s a part where Mrs. Morris, played by Natalie Moorhead, finds a misplaced hat in her *friend's* apartment. The way her eyes widen, just for a split second, before she smooths her expression… it says everything without saying anything. It’s a tiny moment, but it speaks volumes about what everyone’s really up to.
The dialogue, honestly, it’s often just a volley of suggestive remarks. Like a tennis match where every ball is a double entendre. It’s kinda exhausting but also kinda fun to watch them dance around what they really mean. Nobody ever says anything directly, it's all hints and implications.
Edward Martindel, as the other Mr. Morris, has this bewildered look for most of the film. Like he’s constantly trying to catch up to everyone else’s cleverness. He just seems perpetually confused, which honestly, is pretty relatable in this whole tangled situation.
You know, they don't *really* explain why everyone is so keen to cheat on each other, other than 'it's a party' or 'everyone does it.' It feels less like deep character motivation and more like an excuse for the plot to happen. And you know what? For a pre-Code, that’s perfectly fine. Sometimes you just want to watch people make bad decisions for fun. 🎉
The sets are pretty standard for the era, lots of fancy living rooms and opulent bedrooms. But there’s one scene on a balcony overlooking what I assume is a painted cityscape. It’s a nice touch, a little escape from the indoor drama. Though you can tell it’s a backdrop, it adds a certain classic Hollywood charm.
The whole 'will they divorce or make up' thing feels less like a real question and more like a formality. You know how these pre-Codes often wrap up. Everyone gets a little slap on the wrist, but nobody *really* learns a big lesson. And that’s okay. It’s more about the journey through all the scandalous fun.
One moment, Mr. Morris is practically caught red-handed, and the next, he's delivering this impassioned speech about *understanding* and marital fidelity. It’s a quick pivot. You can feel the script trying to tie things up neatly, almost too neatly sometimes. It just snaps back into place.
The ending feels a little rushed, to be honest. Like they ran out of film or something. Suddenly, all the confusion just… clears up. No big dramatic confrontation, just a shrug and a smile, and everyone seems to be perfectly fine. It’s a bit jarring after all the build-up.
It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s definitely a fun slice of early Hollywood. It’s got a certain charm, even if some of the jokes feel a bit dated now. But for a peek into how films used to push the envelope, it’s worth a watch. You won't be bored, that's for sure. 😉
IMDb 6.3
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