Divorcing Jack (1998)

Black romantic comedy set around the troubled "peace process" and its effect on a cynical Belfast hack.

Director:

David Caffrey

Writers:

Colin Bateman (novel), Colin Bateman (screenplay)

Stars:

David Thewlis, Rachel Griffiths, Jason Isaacs

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Thewlis	...	Dan Starkey
Rachel Griffiths	...	Lee Cooper
Jason Isaacs	...	Cow Pat Keegan
Laura Fraser	...	Margaret
Richard Gant	...	Charles Parker
Laine Megaw	...	Patricia Starkey
Bronagh Gallagher	...	Taxi Driver
Kitty Aldridge	...	Agnes Brinn
Robert Lindsay	...	Michael Brinn
Adam Black	...	Young Starkey
Simon Magill	...	Starkey's Brother
George Shane	...	Woods
Alan McKee	...	Mouse
Brian Devlin	...	Dans' work mate
Sean Caffrey	...	Joe

Storyline

A married drunk hooks up with the ex-girlfriend of a vicious local criminal. He gets booted out of home for his infidelity, has a murderer on his tail, and must try to write the story of his life in order to save his journalism job. He gets help from a stripper dressed as a nun and goes undercover dressed as Shaggy from Scooby Doo. He finds a drinking buddy in an American fellow journalist.

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Plot Keywords:

nun | infidelity | bare breasts | election | prime minister | 

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Genres:

Thriller | Comedy

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Details

Official Sites:

Mosaic Movies

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 October 1998 (UK)

Also Known As:

Elválni Jacktől

Filming Locations:

Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£121,394 (UK) (2 October 1998)

Gross:

£375,657 (UK) (23 October 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Scala Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The painting of the young Indian girl is a reference to Colin Bateman's Maid of the Mist

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dan: [voiceover] When I was 8 years old, I woke up in the middle of the night and found my brother pissing on my typewriter. I decided then and there that there was something wonderful about alcohol.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits roll the taxi driver can be heard screaming her catchphrase: "Fuck away off and die!"

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Rachel Griffiths in Conversation (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Bank Robber"
Written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones
Performed by The Clash

User Reviews

A darkly humorous tale of conflicting emotions, magnificently written and superbly acted.

Moral contrast and conflicting emotions set the scene for this darkly humorous tale. It is a wonderful story of contrasts of scenery, emotions, beliefs, and people. While heavy in language and violence, the movie is one I would definitely recommend. David Thewlis is emotionally endearing as our "hero," and Jason Isaacs absolutely delicious in his portrayal of a "villain." Or is there a villain in this movie? Both characters remain on opposite side of the spectra of good and evil, yet somehow we find ourselves pitying the two evildoers. Emotions are swept around mercilessly, and you are left completely satisfied with all characters (especially the nun, who is reminiscent of the love/hate, restraint/indulgence conflicts of the film). I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for a good movie and a great story.