Divorcing Jack (1998) User Reviews

A black comedy with a message; highly underrated

[itamarscomix · 8/10 · 19 August 2006]

A vastly underrated film that was practically ignored by both critics and viewers, Divorcing Jack is a highly enjoyable, and often powerful, film with a terrific cast and a very clever title that keeps you interested to the last minute. It's good to see David Thewlis, one of the finest British actors of his generation, play the lead in a British film – as he did in his prime, and not a side character in Hollywoodian films like Harry Potter. His performance in Divorcing Jack isn't quite as remarkable as the one he gave five years before in Naked but it's fantastic by its own right, and just like in Naked Thewlis creates an anti-hero that is egoistic, weak, detestable, and entirely believable; if you're looking for a noble hero to sacrifice himself for the greater good because that's the right thing to do, look elsewhere. Dan Starkey cares for himself and makes excuses for nobody; and that makes him a protagonist you can relate to.

There are some neat surprises in the supporting cast: Australian born Rachel Griffiths – AKA Brenda Chenowith of HBO's terrific Six Feet Under – who was practically anonymous in 1998, is terrific as Thewlis' prostitute-in-nun's-clothing sidekick, and supplies some of the film's funniest moments. Jason Isaacs, who, like Thewlis, has recently familiarized himself with American audiences through the Harry Potter movies, in bone-chillingly excellent in the lead villain role. The beautiful Laura Fraser (who had recently made a career for herself in Hollywood with supporting roles in movies like Titus, Vanilla Sky, and A Knight's Tale; but anyone who happened to catch the excellent BBC mini-series Neverwhere will surely remember her as the charming Door) has a part that's brief but unforgettable. American TV regular Richard Grant is lovely and believable as the visiting reporter from the US who came to cover the upcoming elections but is more interested in learning about the difference between the different types of scotch. And experienced British actor Robert Lindsay steals the show as the dodgy candidate. Finally, a brief but hilarious cameo from the charming Bronagh Gallagher (The Commitments) as a taxi driver.

The film's messages about the horrors and idiocy of war and particularly the Irish civil war are familiar and would have been corny in a straight drama, but as in Catch-22 and other classic black comedies, the absurd humor of the film makes it powerful. If you take any of the two aspects of the film – comedic or political – and separate it from the other, maybe it really isn't all that good. Perhaps that's why it failed to find its audience in the US and most of Europe. Myself, I've lived my entire life in Israel, and am familiar with a war between two neighboring factions that always seems on the brink of resolution just before the situation explodes again, and that has its highest price in the innocent lives of people on both sides who just want to be left alone in peace, while the leaders of both peoples carry on their senseless warmongering. Divorcing Jack has a simplistic view of the situation but it's important to make it heard. The ending is inevitable and almost predictable, yet it's the only proper ending this story could possibly have. Divorcing Jack is highly recommended; it's neither a romantic comedy nor a straight thriller, but it's a good and powerful film to enjoy and to think about.

Give it a go, you might just have a bit of a laugh!

[mairhi · 8/10 · 10 July 2004]

I have to say that I totally disagree with the other comments on this film. Apart from the excess of swearing (am a bit of a prude), I found this film to be funny and a refreshing change from all the doom/gloom and disaster that seems to be normally associated with productions centering around Northern Ireland/Ulster/The Province (see movie for reference and explanation). There is a lot in the movie that I can relate to for some reason, even though I am Scottish, not Irish and have never lived amongst "The Troubles". The story (and screen play adapted by the author - an Irishman - so not quite sure where the comment about poor representation by the British comes in) is a simple one, and shows the humour and sense of openness and idea of ridiculousness displayed and recognised by the Irish. It doesn't hide the fact that there no go areas in Belfast and its surrounds, it doesn't hide the fact that there is violence going on, but neither does it hide the fact that the Irish are warm, funny, intelligent human beings. I enjoyed David Thewlis' performance, but feel that he is a very under-rated actor, being used for mostly "baddies" or yokel character parts on both sides of the Atlantic.

The DVD I have had interviews with all the cast and gives an insight in to the making of the film, the most telling part of that being that the film crew were denied access to areas of the city, until the locals found out what they were filming and then welcomed them with open arms, because this book/film did not depict them in a depressing manner. No the story isn't Ulysses, but it is fun and anyone (with celtic roots especially) can find something to relate to in it, be it the apparent obsession on the radio stations with country and western (same in Scotland), Starkey pretending to be a gravel inspector when he falls over drunk (shades of the late Chick Murrey - a Scots comedian - who when he fell over drunk in the street was asked by a passing woman "are you alright Chick". He replied - yes I'm just trying to break a bar of chocolate in my back pocket!) or people supplementing their poor income with another job - in this case as a strippergram nun. The spiel on the box likens it to Trainspotting - but I would say maybe more along the lines of Bill Forsythe's Gregory's Girl - with kalishikovs! Give it a go and you might just have a bit of a laugh.

You could do worse

[ah`Pook · 7/10 · 21 October 1999]

'Divorcing Jack' starts off a bit like Mike Leigh's 'Naked'

played strictly for laughs. Soon it takes off to appear more

like a Hollywood actioner set in Ireland, even going so far as

throwing Richard Gant (who was last seen in 'The Big Lebowski',

also featuring Thewlis) in as his black American buddy. Still

lots of laughs, with David Thewlis as David Thewlis (i.e. Adam

Sandler as Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey as Jim Carrey), specifically

a miscreant journo in big big trouble with his wife, his boss,

the police, the IRA, and anybody else the producers could think

of. The film has basically nothing to say about the situation in

Northern Ireland (thankfully). Apart from a nearly pointless

'gun-toting nun' and Thewlis captured-by-his-enemies -only-to-miraculously-escape a few too many times, you could do

a lot worse than this flick. Thewlis is definitely the focal

point, and he saunters through with his usual 'charming as a

drowned rat' panache. Could somebody please write this guy a

fantastic script, because he has a lot of talent and presence

and it would be great to see him do something else as noteworthy

as 'Naked' before he packs it in and decides he wants to direct.

Excellent stuff

[dexmike · 7 January 2004]

Started as a comedy, turned real dark. I thought this was an excellent film i'd never heard of. Of course US distributors are always scared of thick accents, that's why so few of us have seen the great Twin Town. David Thewlis was outstanding, very funny & believeably serious when things went dark.

An okay Irish comedy/drama.

[=G= · 6/10 · 10 January 2001]

"Divorcing Jack" is a so-so comedy/drama about a bungling reporter who gets caught up in a series of confounding situations with Irish warring political factions and an assortment of females all of whom can't wait to jump him in spite of his ordinary looks and klutzy behavior. The film's drama is a tad too serious and its comedy a tad too silly resulting in a kind of schizophrenic rift and lack of homogeneity. Griffiths gets top billing but is not seen until an hour into the film and has only one of many small roles. Nonetheless, it manages to make for some enjoyable moments, flows with continuity, pulls itself together at the end, and is a solid tour-de-force by Thewlis. A good film for those interested in British satire.

Reasonably funny black-comedy/thriller

[steve345 · 7/10 · 5 October 1998]

This film is neither as funny, nor as thrilling as it purports to be. The American journalist escorted around Northern Ireland by David Thewlis appears to be acting in a different, slicker movie, and is unconvincing in these gritty naturalistic surroundings. On the other hand, the movie is unique in how black the comedy is (eg the hero inadvertently kills an old woman), and David Thewlis is fun to watch. Thankfully, the pic is also not a hatchet job on Britain (as pics usually are 'cos everyone is scared of the IRA, including me). Instead, it is even-handed, and lampoons sectarians on both sides.

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

[njorca · 10/10 · 2 July 2003]

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.

The road to peace has many obstacles

[The-Sarkologist · 6/10 · 6 January 2012]

There are two reasons why I wanted to see this movie: one of them was because it is a British black comedy, and because of the nun. Unfortunately the nun, who is really a nurse by day and a stripper by night, isn't a major character in the movie, but her appearances where still pretty cool, and there were plenty of gags around the nun to keep me amused. The movie was good enough to stand on its own anyway, the nun just made it more interesting.

Divorcing Jack is a political, conspiracy, black British comedy and very much lived up to my expectations. It is based around a journalist, Don Starky, who invites a young, attractive university student back to his house for a party. Starky is already married, and is not interested in this girl, but she has other ideas and manages to get her wicked way with him. Unfortunately his wife finds him in the act and throws him out and he is forced to move in with the girl. Unfortunately he returns back from getting a Pizza to find that the girl has been murdered, and then accidentally kills her mother because he thinks she is the murder. Even worse, he discovers that the girl was the daughter and the woman the wife, of an Irish politician: in fact the treasurer. All of this is happening at a time when elections are being held and peace is being promised by the leading candidate. To add a further twist, the girl's ex-boyfriend is Billy Culgan, a rather nasty bankrobber and IRA soldier who is in gaol. Thus Starky becomes the prime suspect and is caught up in this political game.

I guess this movie is about secrets, the truth, and how peace is really only a shallow lie that is used to cover up huge amounts of tension. This movie is a very strong mouthpiece that reports on the violence that is tearing Northern Ireland apart, and Don Starky is the person who controls the mouthpiece. A couple of times he comments of the number of names that Northern Ireland has because of the number of people that are competing over control of this small state: the British and the Irish, the Protestants and the Catholics. The Irish want freedom from the British, but under that there is a huge religious tension that is constantly ripping the country apart - and every time a peace plan comes along, it is only shortlived before something happens which rips the country apart again. It is interesting to note that Scotland and Wales are gaining their own parliaments now.

The religious violence is interesting because people attack religion claiming that it is the major causes of wars. This I disagree with - it might be an excuse for a war but it generally is not the cause of a war. In this situation, it seems that the whole reason behind the Protestant - Catholic violence in Northern Ireland has been forgotten and they simply fight because they hate each other. I believe the reason stemmed back to the protestants being English and because the Irish hated the English they remained Catholic - but I can only gather this from the history books.

Divorcing Jack is a very good movie about the pointlessness of violence, the lies and conspiracies that run riot through areas of unrest and giving us the idea that peace in Ireland is not just around the corner - it is built on centuries of prejudice and hatred and can't simply be solved by one smiling man.

an excellent film

[crawfordmarty · 10/10 · 1 August 2001]

.An excellent film that for once has shown the lighter side of Belfast coupled with its ever-present dark side, although the portrayal of the paramilitaries and security forces in Belfast was not totally realistic. However this did not take away from the film, as it is more about the situation the star 'Dan Starky' has gotten himself into more than the political situation in Ireland. The cast was excellent especially David Thewlis and Laura Fraser who both had great performances, also they got the accent perfectly. Have a look at it, its well worth it, very funny.

Too silly for words

[mfsor · 1/10 · 11 December 2005]

Yes, I thought this movie was awful. I could not watch David Thewlis's antics, and noise, and vomiting (with a view of the toilet!) and so I could not get past the first five minutes of the movie. The girl was beautiful, but she kisses a man who just puked? Who is this movie for, anyway? He's supposed to be a newspaper writer? Drinking is his game and acting for the camera, the script, but not for any semiotics that reach out beyond the film production. Too stupid, too wretched, too unthinking, too unfeeling, too obnoxious, too disgusting, too many toos to go on with. I would really like to know what people saw in it, maybe I should have read some comments before watching it, but that's my problem.

One of 99´s best films...

[leif-13 · 9/10 · 28 July 1999]

..and one of the best I have seen in a long time. (Ok it was made in 98 but it has just been released on video here in Sweden) This movie was a surprise! I´m fortunate to be able to rent movies for free (if I were not I would probably never have seen this one) and am I glad I did see it!. It´s funny, it got lots of action and crazy characters whom you really care for. It got a great story, great actors and actresses it is simply great! I want more of this kind of movies! Go rent this one today or you will miss a piece of excellence!

Only negative thing is that the editor made a lousy job in the beginning.

9 out of 10.

Painful

[stoatbo · 1/10 · 9 January 2002]

Having just viewed this film as part of my job, I can only say that I was getting paid to do it. It was mind blowingly painful to watch. For a supposed black comedey, it was utterly lacking in comedy, makming it more of a very poorly executed political thriller with badly-staged shoot-outs. The main character is utterly unlovable in every way, and you begin to wish that the IRA would just rub him out and save us the agony of having to put up with him. The rest of the cast go from unconvincing (A stripper nun) to stupidly pointless (A group od inept IRA hitmen) to one-dimensional (Our hero's long suffering wife who he trieats like crap and expects to be loved for it. Oh, the sotry? It doesn't show up till half way through the film, and then we're force-fed it by having one of the characters vomit expostion at the scrteen.

The highlights? A see-through bra in the first ten-minutes.

Cutting satire of life in Ulster

[cincinul · 21 July 2001]

This is a good film for those who may be interested to see a realistic depiction of the situation in Northern Ireland. This movie is perhaps better understood and appreciated by Ulster folk, though, as it contains a lot of in-jokes that may go over the heads of viewers who are unfamiliar with our area. We who live here can really relate to the situations depicted in the film, as well as to the satire that is so typical of Bateman's work and which translated rather well to film. I believe this movie is misclassified as a thriller. It is a satire, a black comedy, and the thriller format is just a vehicle. The situations were dead on and hilarious (in a very dark way sometimes), and the accents were quite good, in general, with the exception of Robert Lindsay (Brinn) who sounded fake to my ear. The taxi driver was perhaps one of the most realistic characters in the film, and even though she was only seen a couple of times, she stole those scenes. Well acted, realistic, fast paced and quite a good look at our province.

Refreshing change - a great comedy thriller

[James-66 · 10/10 · 16 October 1998]

Wonderful to see film set in N Ireland and using real people, not cardboard cut-out, stereo-typed characters.

Thewlis is amazing, Fraser is gorgeous, Isaacs very menacing and Megaw a riot.

Rollercoaster comedy at its very best - I bet America don't like it.

Fast, funny and takes no prisoners

[bingoid · 9/10 · 10 October 1998]

Colin Bateman's adaptation of his own cult novel keeps his trademark black, furious humour intact. No one is safe: journalists, politicians, gangsters, country and western artistes - all are laid into with equal relish. As Hollywood seems unable to put the work of Carl Haissen on screen without watering it down beyond all recognition (ie, Striptease), Divorcing Jack will do nicely, instead.

Completely Worthless

[kypioneer · 3/10 · 13 February 2001]

Normally my instinct-- on the few occasions I am exposed to utter tripe-- is to walk away without complaining. Let others see the film and make up their own minds. Who knows, some might even like it. Chacun a son gout.

But this waste product is so puffed in its own conceit it begs me to comment. It is the worst movie/DVD experience of my life. I was trapped by company or I would have walked out-- of my own house! It purports to be a comedy. It is not funny. It purports to be a commentary on the turmoil of Northern Ireland. It is nothing more than the typical cheapjack cynicism the British pass off as political insight. It purports to star David Thewlis. Unfortunately it does.

The premise of this movie is so painfully weak that it falls apart like wet toilet paper even to describe it. Let us just say that someone with a high school equivalency degree will guess the significance of the phrase "divorcing jack" long before the Thewlis character does-- and that the tedium of waiting for Thewlis's character to catch up is not enlivened by a succession of ridiculous characters such as the nun imposter (oh, haha, heehee), the unbelievable Boston Globe reporter or the overdrawn IRA gunman (Jason Isaacs, who should choose his roles better.) What really keynotes this as a bad movie for me is that the discovery of what the Big Secret is, the rationale behind all these deaths, takes place OFF SCREEN-- and then someone has to sit down in another scene and painfully tell Thewlis all about it. An anticlimax to an anticlimax, and so typical of the incompetence of this director!

Wow, just like...wow

[Hyer · 10/10 · 14 August 1999]

One of the best films I've seen recently. Im really interested in the NI-conflict, but that didn't make any difference betwen the reactions between me and my friends who couldn't care less, we all loved it. The plot is great and it's really funny

Slick but overhyped and overcooked satire on Northern Ireland

[dan-476 · 2/10 · 26 June 2000]

Easily the most hyped film ever made in Northern Ireland, 'Divorcing Jack' falls very short of expectations. Billed as a refreshing satire on the petty bigotries that dominate Northern Irish life and the attempt by some to gloss over them, this is pretty heavy handed stuff.

Desperately trying to be as hip as Danny Boyle's 'Trainspotting,' David Caffrey's film lacks bite. David Thewlis, an accomplished actor, is totally at sea in the lead role - his accent is all over the place - as are other quality actors like Robert Lindsay and Jason Isaacs. The journalist anti-hero is the same old stereotype of the hard drinking, womanising hack we have grown tired of seeing onscreen and bears no reality to the real life models.

The difference between the anti-hero here and the anti-hero, Boyle in Oliver Stone's brilliant 'Salvador' is the latter is still human. James Woods' character in 'Salvador' is believable. David Thewlis's character is merely a cartoon sketch by comparison.

And at least Stone's film has some things to say about American involvement in Central America and the relationship between journalists and their sources. 'Divorcing Jack,' by way of contrast, has practically nothing to say. It can only offer feeble humour about the political stereotypes in the province - loyalist hard men, republican hard men and new model Irish republicans. What's all the more appalling is the smug way it tries to pass off this shoddy humour.

The one bright spark in the film is Rachel Griffith's performance. But all in all, this is pretty dismal stuff. Here's hoping 'Wild About Harry' is much, much better!

A black comedy as a black comedy should be

[Kirsteen · 27 May 1999]

Divorcing Jack is one of the best films i have ever seen. It'll have you rolling on the floor laughing one minute and gaping in horror the next. It puts me in mind of films like MASH and Catch-22 - using comedy to make you feel comfortable and then, when you least expect it, shocking you back to the realities of war. It's gritty, funny, horrifying, just as a black comedy should be.

Very nice. Reminiscent of "lock stock and 2 smoking barrels"

[devilspawn · 9/10 · 5 January 2002]

Very well made I thought. Had its funny moments and the whole nation using swear words was quite interesting actually. I especially liked the no-b******t kind of villainy depicted in this movie. Very enjoyable, definitely watch this.

The BEST film made in Northern Ireland to date

[Voice-2 · 10/10 · 15 October 1998]

Having seen this film on its first night - I'm really impressed with it. Although there is bad language which spoils it slightly - the storyline and acting are superb. It is based in Northern Ireland, so it will probably get a bad review from English viewers - who would be jealous of such a good film being made here. Much of the scenery shows how nice Northern Ireland is and really sheds a good light on the province. I still can't wait until it comes out on video.

Uninspiring comedy thriller

[rob-236 · 3/10 · 10 September 2000]

Uninspiring time killer which is just about watchable. Billed as a comedy, it turns out to be more of a thriller as we follow down on his luck (and alcoholic) reporter Dan Starkey (David Thewlis - Dragonheart) as he bumbles his way through being convicted of murder, chased by the IRA and the Police while he tries to unravel a conspiracy involving high and mighty politicians trying to make peace in troubled Northern Ireland. Moderately entertaining, it falls down mainly because you will not care less what happens to any of the very dislikable characters involved in the plot and if you really think about it the story doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Best part of the film is the gorgeous Laura Fraser as Thewlis' ‘bit on the side', although she is not in it all that much.

A fantastic film, based in Northern Ireland

[Voice-2 · 10/10 · 9 September 1998]

I took part as an EXTRA in this film and I found that to be a brilliant experience. All the actors were very friendly and down to earth. The 2 weeks I spent with the crew at various locations were very enjoyable. This movie is UNMISSABLE and I can't wait until it comes out on video

wicked film - david thewliss is superb

[kenobi-8 · 28 May 1999]

what a great movie - razor sharp wit, it twists like an insane rollercoaster from another dimension. david thewliss is incredibly funny and stars in far too few films. excellent.

Very funny- for Ulster folk, anyway

[djh_wilson · 9/10 · 11 April 2001]

I'm a big fan of Colin Bateman's books, and, although this isn't quite as good, I found it extremely entertaining nonetheless. Part of this is, however, undoubtedly because I'm from Northern Ireland and can relate to a lot of the character based humour (I thought the taxi driver was particularly authentic!) and Ulster in-jokes. Reading some of the other comments made here confirms what I expected- people from outside the province can't quite relate to it. To pick an analogy- I didn't find "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" as funny as Londoners would, and the same sort of thing applies here. Mind you, if you're not from Norn Iron you probably won't be annoyed by Robert Lindsay's dodgy accent, which was the biggest problem from my point of view.