Movie Monday: The Divorcee (1930)

This Movie Monday is all about one of my all-time favorite actresses – Norma Shearer! Let’s face it, Shearer is one of the legends of old Hollywood, and she helped to revolutionize how acting is approached. We are just scratching the surface of what she did as an actress so to better explore her impact, I think it is time we review The Divorcee.

The title says it all. This film is all about divorce and its many aspects, both good and bad. The Divorcee is one of Norma Shearer’s most famous films and an early talkie. Of course this is a classic, but it was pretty controversial at the beginning. Back in 1930 divorce was a hushed issue, and most husband and wife relationships in popular culture were portrayed idealistically. This film was a lot more realistic about how some marriages are and definitely did not hold back on honesty.

For Norma Shearer, The Divorcee was a career trendsetter. Shearer took real risks playing a women who was not only divorced, but also a sexually liberated women. Let’s remember that this film was released in 1930, and realistically it was probably filmed in the late 1920’s. Never before had audiences seen a story that showed a empowered woman that was willing to make decisions she felt was best for her even at the risk of her own marriage.

The Divorcee was way ahead of its time, that much is clear. But I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I was disappointed with the ending of this film. You won’t hear many people say that about this classic, but based on the actions of Shearer’s former husband in this movie I really don’t feel the ending is that realistic or appropriate. It took a lot away from the empowering character arch I assumed that Shearer would have.

Nonetheless, Norma Shearer acquired many similar roles that also featured sexually liberated women because of this film. She is credited with being a huge influence in giving women a lot more rights, both on film and in real life. Hats off to Norma Shearer and her trailblazing ways!

Much Love,

Sarah