‘Ex-Wive’ Tracks 3 Lives After Divorce

Cheeky yet evenhanded, the documentary “Ex-Wives” peers into the lives of three women dealing with life after divorce. Identified only by their first names, one is frantic, another is generous and the third may be perceived as a gold digger. Men coming off recent divorces should watch at their own risk. Truth be told, this is not the sort of show they would consider entertainment.

Julia is frazzled. The British tabs have taken her to task for marrying an aging millionaire and forcing him to sleep in a trailer (which she says he voluntarily did on one occasion). Now she’s being evicted by her former husband, and she’ll have to take all her pets, including a duck named Dynamo. To make matters worse, Julia is an agoraphobic.

Vira was awarded a record-breaking settlement after 30 years of marriage and what she calls a “simple divorce” with no complications. Last but not least, we meet Jenny, also known as Lady Chelsea, who was wed to the 16th-richest man in Britain. She’s always been attracted to older men. “They treat you better,” she says.

The more we get to know two of these women, the less we like them. The notable exception is Vira, who says she intends to give all her money to charity while she’s alive. Why? Her philosophy of life is, “You have to put back to society what you’ve taken out.” The least likable is Jenny, a superficial sophisticate who spends her afternoons shopping and sipping champagne with friends. Julia, who becomes increasingly shrill, earns a bit of sympathy but still gets on our nerves.

Producer-director Lynn Alleway allows the women to tell their stories in their own words; former spouses are not part of the program, which is probably just as well. After all, do you think anyone would watch a documentary called “Ex-Husbands”?

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“Ex-Wives” can be seen tonight at 10 on KCET. It is rated TV-PG (may be unsuitable for young children).