Movies About Divorce

From Asghar Farhadi, starring Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat, Shahab Hosseini
Rated PG-13

A Separation is an Academy Award-winning Iranian drama directed by Asghar Farhadi. The story follows Simin and Nader, a married couple in Iran who are facing the difficult decision of whether to stay in the country or leave in hope of a better life. With Simin adamant to leave and Nader unwilling, the two decide to separate. Simin moves out of their shared home and Nader is left to care for their 11-year-old daughter, Termeh, as well as his elderly father who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Meanwhile, Simin begins divorce proceedings and hires a lower-class housekeeper and nanny named Razieh to help Nader with his father. When Nader discovers that Razieh has lied to him, a heated argument ensues, leading to a tragic and unforeseen event that sends the two families into a legal battle that brings out the worst in all of them. A Separation is an emotionally charged and masterful exploration of the complexity of relationships and modern Iranian society.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Elijah Smith
Rated R

Boyhood is a coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Richard Linklater, and starring Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, and Ethan Hawke. The film chronicles the life of Mason Evans Jr. (Coltrane) from age 6 to age 18 as he navigates the complexities of growing up. The film was made on a budget of $4 million, and was filmed intermittently over a period of twelve years, beginning in 2002. Through the course of the film, Mason moves from elementary school to college, experiences the joys and struggles of growing up, and discovers his identity in the midst of his family’s ups and downs. The film highlights the importance of family, friendship, and the passage of time, and has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the challenges of growing up.

From Robert Benton, starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander, Justin Henry
Rated PG

Kramer vs. Kramer is a 1979 American drama film directed by Robert Benton and written by Benton and David Gary. It tells the story of a divorce and its impact on everyone involved. The film stars Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep as protagonist Ted Kramer and antagonist Joanna Kramer, respectively. Ted and Joanna's marriage is on the rocks, and when Joanna decides to leave, Ted is left to take care of their son Billy (Justin Henry). Through Ted's struggles and learning to take care of Billy, they eventually form a bond, and when Joanna returns to reclaim custody, Ted must fight to keep his new family together. The film deals with themes of parenting, divorce, and gender roles in society. It ultimately won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Hoffman and Streep both won Oscars for their performances.

From Wes Anderson, starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
Rated R

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 American comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson and starring Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Owen Wilson. The story follows the eccentric Tenenbaum family, former child prodigies who reunite when their father Royal (Hackman) announces his intention to divorce his wife Etheline (Huston). The family must learn to deal with the tensions that arise from their troubled past. Through their various personal journeys, the Tenenbaums discover the truth about their family history and ultimately reconcile. Themes of family dynamics, growing up, and the power of redemption are explored throughout the film.

From Krzysztof Kieslowski, starring Zbigniew Zamachowski, Julie Delpy, Janusz Gajos, Jerzy Stuhr
Rated R

Three Colors: White is a 1994 French-Polish drama film directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski and co-written by Kieslowski and Krzysztof Piesiewicz. It is the second installment of the Three Colors trilogy, which examines the French Revolutionary ideals; it is preceded by Blue and followed by Red. The film tells the story of Karol Karol, a Polish immigrant living in Paris who is left penniless and homeless after his French wife Dominique abandons him for another man. Desperate for revenge and a way to regain his wealth and status, Karol devises an elaborate plan involving an illegal bullfighting ring, complete with faked fights and a fake bull. Despite its initial success, Karol's scheme ultimately fails, leading him to a realization of the importance of empathy and friendship. The film is both humorous and moving, and is ultimately a parable about the importance of humility and selflessness in life. Themes of love, justice, and the power of reconciliation are explored throughout the film. Three Colors: White won the 1994 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and garnered Kieslowski a variety of other international awards.

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Sydney Pollack, Judy Davis
Rated R

Husbands and Wives is a 1992 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. The film follows two couples, Jack and Sally (played by Allen and Mia Farrow) and Gabe and Judy (played by Sydney Pollack and Judy Davis) who are both grappling with the prospect of their own impending divorces. As the film progresses, the characters become deeply entrenched in their destructive relationships and their own insecurities, leading to explosive arguments and intense emotions. The film explores their psychological state in the face of a dissolving marriage, and their ultimate decisions in regards to their marriages and the relationships that follow. The film offers a candid and honest exploration of relationships, and it's universally acclaimed for its realistic dialogue and performances.

From Directors: Scott McGehee, David Siegel, starring Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgård, Steve Coogan, Joanna Vanderham
Rated R

From Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa, starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone
Rated PG-13

From Noah Baumbach, starring Owen Kline, Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg
Rated R

From Derek Cianfrance, starring Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, John Doman, Faith Wladyka
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page, Kristin Griffith, Mary Beth Hurt
Rated PG

From Chris Columbus, starring Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein
Rated PG-13

From Paul Mazursky, starring Jill Clayburgh, Alan Bates, Michael Murphy, Cliff Gorman
Rated R

From Gene Saks, starring Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Charles Boyer, Mildred Natwick
Rated G

From Nicole Holofcener, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette
Rated PG-13

From Danny DeVito, starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Marianne Sägebrecht
Rated R

From Alan Parker, starring Albert Finney, Diane Keaton, Karen Allen, Peter Weller
Rated R

From Franco Zeffirelli, starring Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, Ricky Schroder, Jack Warden
Rated PG

From Audrey Wells, starring Diane Lane, Raoul Bova, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Duncan
Rated PG-13

From Nancy Meyers, starring Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Elaine Hendrix
Rated PG

From Nancy Meyers, starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski
Rated R

From Sarah Polley, starring Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman, Aaron Abrams
Rated R

From Hugh Wilson, starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Maggie Smith
Rated PG

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Billy Bob Thornton, Geoffrey Rush
Rated PG-13

From Arthur Hiller, starring Al Pacino, Dyan Cannon, Tuesday Weld, Bob Dishy
Rated PG