I just rewatched this one last night. This 1930 MGM film tells the story of a happily married couple, whose marriage crumbles under the taint of infidelity.

Norma Shearer portrayed Jerry Martin, a happily married New York socialite, who discovers that her husband, Ted (Chester Morris),had a drunken one night stand with some blowsy woman. She tried to pretend that it was water under the bridge and openly forgave him. But his infidelity continued to bother her. And when he leaves New York for a business trip to Chicago, she has a one night stand with his best friend, Don (Robert Montgomery). Jerry confesses her infidelity and discovers that as far as Ted is concerned, what was good for the goose, was not for the gander. Furthermore, Ted is not so concerned about the pain of the infidelity as he is about his pride and that someone in "their set" is laughing at him. This is the last straw for Jerry, and a divorce follows with what must be a pile of alimony because Jerry seems to lack no luxury even though she lacks a job. Not bad work for a fairly short marriage.

I understand that the Jerry Martin role nearly evaded Norma Shearer, because husband and MGM production chief Irving Thalberg did not feel that the role suited her. She used a series of sexy photographs taken by George Hurrell to convince Thalberg that she could do the role. And she certainly proved that she was the right woman for the role. What I liked about Shearer's take on Jerry was that she was a complex woman who discovered that she could not hide her feelings - whether she was disturbed by her husband's infidelity and hypocrisy; or her longing to reconcile with him, despite enjoying the company of other men. Shearer certainly deserved her Oscar.

Although he had some moments of over-the-top acting as Ted Martin - Jerry's husband, Chester Morris did a pretty good job portraying the newspaper man, who tried to dismiss his own infidelity and discovered how his wife truly felt in the worst possible way. What I found interesting about Ted is how alcohol led to a great deal of his troubles. It was booze that encouraged him to cheat on Jerry. And it was booze that he indulged in following the breakup of his marriage and loss of his job.

Robert Montgomery was at turns rather funny and sexy as Don, Ted's best friend with whom she cheated. There's a funny midnight scene in a deli where everybody is in top hat and tails, and Ted is talking to Don about how he would still like to kill the guy that broke up his home, if only he knew who that was. Don makes a polite but speedy exit.

Many have dismissed Conrad Nagel as a boring actor, who performance in the movie was not worth mentioning. Mind you, his role as Paul, Jerry's former boyfriend was not as splashy as Morris or Montgomery's role, Nagel still managed to invest quite a bit of angst in his role as a man who is dealt a double blow in life when the woman he loves (Jerry) marries another man and he finds himself in a loveless marriage to a woman (Judith Wood),whose face he had disfigured due to a drunken car accident.

The attitudes and personalities of most of the major characters seemed relevant today. Despite the late 20s/early 30s wardrobe and slang, the so-called "Bright Young Things" were not really different from the Twenty and Thirtysomethings in the dating scene, today. Do remember,also, that though this film was post stock market crash, that it was still pre Depression. Things were still rolling pretty good for most people at this point.

I realized that the movie had a "happy ending" that many modern viewers might not care for. But for me, it was an ending in which both husband and wife were humbled. They not only forgave each other, but forgave themselves. I bought it.

Those not familiar with films of 1930, this movie might look a bit old fashioned. However, for 1930 it was a major technical achievement--with exceptional sound and a much less stilted style than its contemporaries. But what is probably obvious to anyone seeing this film is its frankness dealing with adultery--a topic considered taboo just a few years later after the Production Code was finally enforced.

Norma Shearer stars as a party girl who down deep is still rather innocent and sweet. However, her husband, Chester Morris, cheats on her--unleashing a long string of unintended consequences. To get him back, she, too, has an affair and he is outraged due to the old "double standard". In other words, a man can cheat but it's unforgivable for a woman to do so (which makes you wonder with WHOM men were allowed to cheat!). Morris' ego is bruised and in haste he declares that the marriage is finished. However, instead of becoming repentant, Shearer responds by bedding a long string of men! Despite this sounding like a rather immoral film, in the end it was strongly pro-marriage, as Shearer and Morris discovered that their new "free" lifestyles weren't very fulfilling after all--leading to an expected but very emotionally charged conclusion (have those Kleenex ready, folks).

Very good acting, production values and a very intelligent script--this is one of the better Pre-Code films you can see.

Have liked a fair share of Norma Shearer's performances, a big example being 'Smilin Through' which she is magnificent in. She was my main reason in wanting to see 'The Divorcee' and to see what the fuss was about with her Oscar win for her performance (whether she deserved it or not). The subject matter was interesting and quite racy to explore in film back when talkies were in their early days, with themes and such that are hardly irrelevant now.

'The Divorcee' to me has its flaws and part of me was expecting more considering that it won one Oscar and nominated for another three. It is still a very interesting and well executed film though, with a lot of admirable qualities. Shearer's win was not undeserving in my view, but do think that she gave better performances in her career (her not even being nominated for 'Smilin Through' was a big oversight). The script was also a worthy nominee for how it handles the film's difficult subject, though there were better films overall released that year (i.e. 'All Quiet on the Western Front', the two films are not in the same league).

Will get the flaws out of the way. The pace is a bit creaky at times.

Chester Morris is wooden with not much screen presence and personally did fail to see the attraction. The ending was not easy to swallow, with what happens being unrealistic and not making sense in real life. After having such racy content on the whole, the film just ends on a safe and too tidy note.

It is a very handsomely produced film though, the photography is remarkably slick and elegant and there is not too much of a too fussy feel to the costumes and sets. 'The Divorcee' is on the most part skillfully directed and not with too much of a heavy hand and Shearer brings sophistication and appealing spunk to the lead role. Robert Montgomery is the other cast standout in a very smooth and charming turn.

One of 'The Divorcee's' biggest stars is the script, which is sophisticated and sharp-witted, with some surprising boldness that didn't come over to me as too tame now, while treating a serious subject with respect without being too morose or anything. The story occasionally creaks and the ending doesn't convince, but much of it is compelling and one can see clearly, with its ahead of the time execution in its frankness, that the subject and the themes were daring back then. Also don't think they have dated, the topic is still a very much relevant one now and the themes are also still relatable and true to real life.

Summing up, could have been more but interesting and well done. 7/10