Watch Divorce His - Divorce Hers
- NR
- 1973
- 3 hr
-
5.1 (439)
Divorce His - Divorce Hers is a 1973 made-for-TV movie that tells the story of a couple's tumultuous marriage and eventual divorce. The movie stars Hollywood legends Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, who were married at the time of filming. The film was directed by Waris Hussein and written by John Hopkins. The movie opens with a cold and distant relationship between Martin Reynolds (Richard Burton), a college literature professor, and his wife Jane Reynolds (Elizabeth Taylor), a former actress who gave up her career to marry Martin and start a family. The couple has two children, but their marriage has been strained for a long time, and they have been living separate lives for a year.
The movie then follows the couple as they decide to pursue a divorce, with the first half of the movie told from Martin's perspective as he moves out of their house and begins to live alone. The second half of the movie switches to Jane's perspective as she tries to move on with her life after the divorce.
Throughout the movie, the audience sees the couple's arguments and disagreements that culminate in a dramatic and emotional argument in which Martin accuses Jane of being a selfish and miserable woman who drove him away. Jane, in turn, accuses Martin of being cold and unaffectionate, and using his profession and literary pursuits to avoid dealing with their marital problems. The argument leaves both characters feeling hurt and misunderstood.
As Martin tries to move on with his life, he meets an attractive student, Ruth (Carrie Nye), and they begin a passionate affair. However, Martin soon realizes that his relationship with Ruth is not fulfilling and ends it. Meanwhile, Jane struggles to adjust to life without Martin and tries to start a new life with their children.
The film's narrative structure, with its shifts from Martin's point of view to Jane's, adds depth and complexity to the story. The audience is given insight into both characters' thoughts and feelings, and we are shown how their different perspectives result in their misunderstandings and miscommunications. The acting of both Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor is superb, with both delivering powerful performances that capture the complex emotions of the characters.
The movie's themes of love, betrayal, and loss are explored through the lens of a failing marriage, a subject that was often considered taboo at the time. The script deals with the issue of divorce in a mature and nuanced way, showing both the pain and the potential for growth that can come from the end of a marriage. The film also explores the gender roles of the time, with Jane's character struggling to find meaning and purpose after giving up her career for her husband and family.
Overall, Divorce His - Divorce Hers is a well-acted and thoughtful movie that still resonates with audiences today. The film provides a nuanced and powerful exploration of a couple's struggles to save their marriage and the complexities of divorce. The performances of Burton and Taylor are a powerful reminder of the iconic talent of these Hollywood legends. The film's themes are universal and timeless, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the intricacies of love and loss.
Divorce His - Divorce Hers is a 1973 drama with a runtime of 3 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.