Sein Scheidungsgrund: A total vintage headache

Is this worth your time?

Honestly? Only if you’re deep into that specific brand of 1930s European fluff where the plot hinges entirely on a misunderstood letter or someone hiding in a wardrobe. People who love theater-kid energy will find something here, but if you need a coherent story, you're gonna hate it. 🍿

The whole thing feels like it’s barely holding onto its own script. Paul Hörbiger is doing that thing where he’s trying to carry the entire movie on his back, and you can see him sweating. It’s almost impressive, in a sad way.

The vibe is... weirdly empty

There’s a scene early on—I think it’s in the hallway?—where someone is talking for what feels like an hour. The camera just sits there. It doesn’t move. The actor isn’t moving. It’s like the director just went to lunch and forgot to yell cut.

You start to notice the wallpaper more than the dialogue. It’s got that repetitive pattern that makes your eyes go fuzzy. Also, there’s a side character who pops in for maybe two minutes, laughs at a joke that wasn't funny, and then never shows up again. Did he just wander onto the set from the street?

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Sein Scheidungsgrund (1931) through its definitive frames.

Comparing the mess

I couldn't help but think about Die Gespensteruhr while watching this. At least that film knew it was a bit goofy. Sein Scheidungsgrund acts like it’s high art, but then someone slips on a rug and we’re supposed to believe it’s a romantic misunderstanding.

It’s got that same vibe as The Lonely Woman, where the silence in the room is supposed to be heavy, but it just feels like the audio equipment broke. Sometimes the actors look like they’re waiting for a cue that never comes.

Odd little things:

• The way everyone holds their hats when they enter a room. It’s like they’re afraid the hats will float away.
• The lighting in the kitchen scene is so bright it’s basically blinding. Who lives like that?
• Someone says something about a train delay and then the train is never mentioned again. Classic.

Maybe it’s just me, but the ending feels like they realized they ran out of film stock and just decided to wrap it up in the middle of a sentence. It’s abrupt. It’s jarring. It’s honestly the most interesting part of the whole hour.

If you’re looking for something that actually has a pulse, look elsewhere. But if you want to watch people in fancy suits pretend to be stressed for no reason? You’ve found your match. 🤷‍♂️