Drama
United States of America
A Bill of Divorcement is a 1932 American drama film directed by George Cukor and starring John Barrymore and Katharine Hepburn in her feature film debut.
The film revolves around the character of Hillary Fairfield, who returns home after being confined in a mental asylum for fifteen years. Hillary, who had suffered a nervous breakdown, is now cured and determined to lead a normal life. However, he finds that his family has moved on without him.
His daughter Sydney has grown up to be a lovely young woman and is engaged to Kit, a young man from a wealthy family. Hillary is happy to see his daughter again but is distressed to find that his wife Margaret has divorced him and is engaged to Gray, a successful businessman.
Hillary struggles to come to terms with the reality of his situation and tries to reconnect with his family. However, his erratic behavior and emotional instability puts a strain on his relationships with his wife and daughter. Hillary's mental health begins to deteriorate again, and he struggles with the fear that he will end up back in the asylum.
A Bill of Divorcement is a poignant and powerful portrayal of a man trying to rebuild his life after a traumatic experience. John Barrymore delivers a superb performance as the troubled and conflicted Hillary, while Katharine Hepburn shines in her first starring role as Hillary's daughter Sydney. The film explores themes of family, love, and mental illness, and remains a classic of early Hollywood cinema.
