Le Divorce could have been titled "Lust, Actually," as this film deals with alternate stories that focus on the negative impact of certain indiscretions. Granted this picture is nowhere near as energetic as Love, Actually, but it sort of plays as that film's polar opposite.

In Le Divorce, Kate Hudson plays Isabel, a young woman who decides to fly to Paris to be with her pregnant sister Roxeanne (Naomi Watts). Upon arrival, she discovers that Roxeanne's pretty boy womanizer of a husband has just left her for another woman. Roxeanne already has one daughter and with another child on the way, she struggles to figure out her next move. Meanwhile, while discovering the magic of Paris, Isabel finds romance of her own, in the form of a married talk show personality (who also happens to be the elderly uncle of Isabel's brother-in-law). Without much thought, she becomes his mistress, as she loves the adventure and danger that comes with such a position.

Le Divorce plays as a comedy with a dash of whimsy, and was directed by James Ivory of "Remains of the Day" and "A Room With a View" fame. While it aspires to be smart and sarcastic, it's mostly just smug and dull.

The impressive cast is unnecessarily large meaning that many of these noteworthy actors (Sam Waterson, Stockard Channing, Bebe Neuwirth, Matthew Modine and Glenn Close etc.) aren't given a whole hell of a lot to do. Most of the film focuses on Hudson and Watts. Hudson is gorgeous and I've never hidden the fact that I'm a fan of hers (I've even copped to liking her recent Raising Helen). In Le Divorce, that charming, bubbly sensibility I love so much about her is nowhere to be found. Most of her actions in this picture come across as snotty and lackluster. Naomi Watts is forced to play the dramatic actress in what is, for the most part, a comedy and it just doesn't work. Granted, I guess it could be argued that this is more of the director and writer at fault.

I just couldn't get into the tone of this movie. At times, it plays like a British comedy (albeit not nearly as funny), but then Ivory and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (based on a novel by Diane Johnson) will throw in some intrusive bit of tragedy (including a ridiculous suicide attempt). Call me stupid (I can read the message boards already). I just didn't get it. Perhaps I've got it all wrong. Maybe it's a drama with touches of comedy. Who the hell knows!

As expected, there are plenty of moments in Le Divorce when the French talk about the Americans in a demeaning fashion, but then there are plenty of scenes in which the Americans talk smack about the French as well. It all makes for a dull war of an experience.

I suppose I just don't know enough about French culture. It's obvious that this movie is about contrast. You know--see how the French view marriage and infidelity and look at how the Americans view it. Cest la Vie! But it just never came together for me.

I will say that the movie is gorgeous to look at. The Paris locales are just breathtaking. But then great locations do not a great movie make. Given the talent involved, Le Divorce is a surprising misfire. I've certainly seen worse films, but one thing's for certain; I'll never watch this one again.