Jerry and Lucy, a mutually distrustful couple (Cary Grant and Irene Dunne) agree to divorce, only to end up sabotaging each other's attempts at new romances. The film is one of the best of the 'screwball comedies' to come out of the 1930s (and, like so many of the good ones, was based on a play). Grant is very good in his second major comedy (after 'Topper', 1937) and director Leo McCarey's film (for which McCarey won an Oscar) established him as a comic star (although apparently little love was lost between the two). Oscar-nominated Dunne is excellent. The scene she where meets the wealthy family of Jerry's current flame (a celebrity heiress) and pretends to be a brassy burlesque singer is priceless. Ralph Bellamy is also very good as Lucy's wealthy, earnest, 'aw-shucks' Oklahoma oil-man beau who lives with his Ma (Bellamy plays a similar character in the classic Grant comedy 'His Girl Friday', 1940). Like all the top comedies of the era, the clever, often rapid-fire script sparkles and the characters' delivery is impeccable. The film also co-stars Hollywood A-list dog 'Skippy', best known for his portrayal of Asta in the 'Thin Man' series . All in all, the film is a clever comedy that has aged well due to the quality of the script, and the talent of the director and the players.

In this movie you can see two of the most brilliant actors, Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, who are both the Queen and King of Comedy. Apparently they enjoyed each other's company - which isn't surprising at all, considering that actors tend to favor actors who can keep up with themselves - as Dunne says "But working with Cary Grant was different from working with other actors - he was much more fun! I think we were a successful team because we enjoyed working together tremendously, and that pleasure must have shown through onto the screen," and Grant compliments her with "(Irene) had perfect timing in comedy and was the sweetest-smelling actress I ever worked with."

Dunne indeed has the perfect timing and one of my favorite parts in this movie was the scene where she puts on a double act, pretending to be Grant's sister. She has the ability to go back and forth between distinct characters and does it well, with her own little refreshing touches here and there. I have to say that I consider Irene one of the best comediennes of the 30s, alongside Carole Lombard and Myrna Loy.

Turning to Grant, he is of course one of my favorites, and an excellent actor. He was the steady companion beside Irene and was part of the reason this movie fared so well. He is one of the most natural actors I have ever seen. He can act all he wants and it doesn't seem like he's "acting." I admire performers who can do that, and Grant certainly deserves the reputation he had, and still has.

Overall this movie was fun and entertaining, although I personally think that the movie's success was rather exaggerated, because the story itself isn't all that great. However if you think about the wonderful Grant-Dunne chemistry and their outstanding performances, I guess it's really not that surprising after all.

Cary Grant reportedly had little faith in this film, and wanted to quit the project, but it came to garner six Oscar nominations and earned the Best Director statuette for director Leo McCarey.

Thanks to McCarey, "The Awful Truth" is a comedy gem. With a running time of only 1.5 hours, it is packed with funniness. This is due in large part to McCarey's sense of comedy, his ability to retain control over the editing process, and the way he improved the script throughout filming. Also, it certainly didn't hurt that he had worked with Laurel and Hardy, whose physical style of humor translates well on Cary Grant. For another example of his comedy chops, check out "Ruggles of Red Gap".

Grant plays Jerry Warriner, husband to Lucy Warriner (Irene Dunne). They have a breezy, free-wheeling marriage that heads for divorce when they suspect each other of indiscretions. They go to court to determine custody of the dog, Mr. Smith (Skippy, who most viewers will recognize as Asta in "The Thin Man") then go their separate ways. Except they somehow keep bumping into each other.

Despite Grant's misgivings about the production, he is his usual, charming self. Dunne is delightful in return. In one scene, she pretends to be Jerry's uncultured sister as a means of embarrassing him before a genteel assemblage. Watching the two of them together is like watching a master class in comedy---under the expert tutelage of Mr. McCarey, of course.

Ralph Bellamy plays an Oklahoma oilman and rancher who has the expressive personality of a cowboy in a drawing room. Alexander D'Arcy plays Armand, Lucy's suggestively suave vocal instructor. And Cecil Cunningham is Lucys' Aunt Patsy, who tries to help the couple steer a sensible course through the stormy waters of matrimonial disunion. Bellamy and Dunne received Oscar nominations.