The topic of divorce is not one that seems like it is made for a comedy, but the new HBO series Divorce finds the right balance of humor and seriousness that makes it work. The series stars Sarah Jessica Parker, back on HBO after her long run as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City, and Thomas Haden Church as a couple that has come to the end of their run after a hilarious incident at the birthday party of a close friend.
The series has just completed the first season and as tough as it is to see a married couple split up, it's great to watch the sometimes ineptitude of Robert, played by Church, a real estate developer who is losing money and doesn't even know it. Parker, plays Frances, a corporate recruiter who has been having an affair with granola making college professor Julian, played by Jemaine Clement.
While we can break down each episode for you, Divorce is best experienced first-hand, the show that is, not an actual divorce. The show has that dark humor that might be uncomfortable for some people but touches the right chords that make you laugh while watching. Thomas Haden Church has a lot of the great moments in the show and he plays it with such a deadpan style that you don't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for the guy.
Some moments of his awkwardness are when Robert keeps mistaking Julian for being French, even though he's constantly being told that Julian is not French, the dinner when they are going to tell their children about getting a divorce, and any of the mediation scenes. The "Christmas" episode made me chuckle a few times, especially his "Nice to meet you" line. You will understand that when you watch the episode. Hopefully, next season he will be nominated for his role on this show.
Parker obviously holds her own on the show and shines in the "Christmas" episode and an earlier episode when she confesses to one of her employees who she keeps calling by the wrong name. She is great in showing frustration with her husband one minute and trying to keep it all together for her children. You can see why she was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in this series.
Divorce is another hit for HBO and I can not wait to see the second season. If you like well acted and sometimes hard to watch for being too real television, this is a show that you should be watching.
Divorce: Season 1 is a new comedy series that finds sharp, observant humor in even the most tense situations. The series provides a candid view into the never-ending process of unwinding a marriage. Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Frances, who has suddenly begun to reassess her life and her strained relationship with her husband of ten years - and father of their two children - Robert (Thomas Haden Church). She soon learns that making a clean break and a fresh start is harder than she thought.
Giveaway Time
Would you like to win a digital copy of the first season of Divorce? In celebrating the digital release of the show our friends at HBO have given us a digital copy of Divorce Season 1 to give to our readers. This copy gives you all 10 episodes along with "Conversation with the cast" as a bonus feature. To win a copy share with us in the comments what were your favorite roles for either Sarah Jessica Parker or Thomas Haden Church? I winner wil be choosen this Friday.
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