Ready for DIVORCE

Article first published as DIVORCE Review on Seat42F.

DIVORCE is coming to HBO. This dark ‘comedy’ created by Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) is about a long-married couple with a pair of kids who realize that their relationship just isn’t working any more. As they try to disentangle themselves, they find no shortage of complications and complicated feelings, the idea of dissolution a lot prettier than the reality of it. But, presumably, they’ll have plenty of time to figure it out, assuming the show runs for a few seasons.

At the center of DIVORCE is our couple, Frances (Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and the City) and Robert (Thomas Haden Church, Wings). They aren’t as screwed up as their friends, the violent Diane (Molly Shannon, Saturday Night Live), her cruel spouse Nick (Tracy Letts, Homeland), or the sad single Dallas (Talia Balsam, Mad Men). But they are dissatisfied enough to engage in infidelity and lack of communication, which culminates in the pilot in a decision to go their separate ways. If only it were that easy or quick, the choice one they will have to make repeatedly before they can fully get out.

One may be forgiven for thinking that Sarah Jessica Parker’s return to HBO is simply a portrayal of the next evolution of her Sex and the City character. After all, Carrie Bradshaw was neurotic and annoying, never sure what she wanted, and self-sabotaging. That SJP made the character likeable anyway is a testament to the fully fleshed out being that she created, because on paper it’s hard to sympathize with Carrie, and it’s very possible Carrie and her end-game beau, John, a.k.a. Mr. Big, headed down a similar path as Frances and Robert sometime in their future.

Yet, DIVORCE isn’t a treated as a continuation. Part of that is the much more melancholy friends surrounding Frances, and part of it is the utter lack of cheeriness that pervades the series. At Carrie’s lowest, one knew she would pick herself back up. Frances doesn’t have the same guaranteed rebound, definitely in a tailspin that will take awhile to work itself out, if it ever does. There’s no happy ending or even happy middle on the horizon in this show.

To some, that might be a turn off, and I’d understand that. But HBO viewers are probably, on the whole, a little more discerning, in search of the higher quality programming that makes them think and feel and surprises them, not just a joyous formula. So I think it has a shot at finding its audience.

DIVORCE is good. Not surprisingly so, just as good as expected. It gives a realistic portrayal of something society usually shies away from delving too deeply into. It does so by painting a portrait of a couple that is at once both authentic and dramatic. Neither of the duo are one thing, building years of unseen backstory and emotional history into every conversation, every word chosen. There is a bond here that is formed in a thousand ways over the years, and each of them show in every line of dialogue.

I think Frances sees herself as both a very average, normal person who anyone could understand, and as a victim of a situation she isn’t completely sure what she wants to do with. It’s egotistical, but not any more so than most people, and the contradictions are of the most natural variety. SJP isn’t one of my favorite actresses, but she can do amazing things with the right parts, and this is one of them for her.

At the same time, THC perfectly balances her and brings so much more to the table with Robert than a blank slate for Frances to play off of. He is just as important, even if he’s not as in focus, and the combination is a winning one.

DIVORCE premieres October 9^th at 10/9c on HBO.

We Bought a Zoo on Blu-ray

From FOX Studios comes Cameron Crowe's (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) latest film, We Bought a Zoo. Based on a true story, the movie finds widower Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon, The Bourne Identity, 30 Rock) needing to make a change. While house hunting, he finds his dream dwelling comes with a closed-down, but still populated, zoo attached, and decides that this might be just the adventure he needs. Together with his two children and the zoo's colorful staff, Benjamin sets out to make the zoo, and his life, mean something again.

We Bought a Zoo is not Crowe's best work, but then, who expects it to be, considering some of the masterpieces the director has made? However, We Bought a Zoo is still damn good. It proves that Crowe still knows how to coax incredible, authentic performances out of his actors. He can still tug a heart string. He develops wonderful visuals, but never forgets that the story is about the characters.

Damon is brilliant in the lead role. He captures the struggle of a father, raising two kids on his own, one of whom he has trouble connecting with because they are too much alike. He also breathes Mee's mission to life with such zeal, that one is left hanging on his every move, rooting for him to succeed, hoping he can find hope and joy in his life again.

We Bought a Zoo is buoyed by an excellent ensemble cast, and that's not just referencing the beautiful animals. Maggie Elizabeth Jones (Footloose) is adorable as Mee's daughter. Thomas Haden Church (Sideways, Wings) brings a realism to Benjamin's brother, who wants to be supportive, but thinks his sibling is off of his rocker. And then there's J.B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Carla Gallo (Bones, Californication), John Michael Higgins (Bad Teacher, Happily Divorced), Angus Macfadyen (Chuck, Braveheart), Elle Fanning (Super 8), Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous), and Colin Ford (Push, Supernatural), all of whom bring something special to the table. The chemistry between them, and the unique make up of each player, really makes this movie sing in an exciting, interesting way.

Oddly, it's Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation, The Avengers) that is wasted here. Stuck in a boring, predictable, romantic interest role, she gets lost among the others. This isn't because the actress is inferior in any way, but rather, more than anyone else, her presence seems to be there only to serve Benjamin's character. She doesn't have enough personality of her own to really stand out. In fact, Benjamin's relationship with a tiger actually serves the same purpose she does, with slightly more impact, so her part is extraneous. It's a shame, and the movie's only real weak point.

There are plenty of bonus features on the three disc Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy set. There's an audio commentary with Crowe, editor Mark Livolsi, and, weirdly, considering his small role in We Bought a Zoo, the hilarious J.B. Smoove. There are a ton of deleted and extended scenes. A half hour is devoted to the making of the picture, and there is a featurette about the real Benjamin Mee. There's also a gag reel, and more! One can literally spend more time watching the extras than the movie, and that's a nice claim to make. It helps, too, that what is present enriches the movie experience, and is really everything one might want in this release.

In short, We Bought a Zoo is a fantastic film that any movie lover should own. It's an inspiring story, a memorable tale, and just plain fun. Pick up a copy, on sale now.

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