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Marriage Story (2019)
It is refreshing to see a film that can both warmly respect and ruthlessly dissect the institution of marriage. While every marriage is unique, there are universal scenarios that can signal their demise. Two of these are central to Marriage Story (2019): the film forensically examines what happens when one partner’s ego swallows another, then shows the destructive force that is unleashed when lawyers come between otherwise still-caring partners.
The storyline is simple, linear, and dialogue-heavy. In the opening minutes we see respected theatre director Charlie (Adam Driver) and his increasingly successful actress wife Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) in the middle of a marital mediation session. He is opening a new play on Broadway while she will be taking their young son to Los Angeles to star in a TV pilot. The session stalls despite their obvious regard for each other and their commitment to avoid lawyers in a marriage split.
Classic marital tension lines become palpably clear. Charlie and Nicole met when he was a high-profile director and she a theatre novice, and this imbalance of egos remain embedded in all aspects of their relationship. Although a loving father, the self-absorbed Charlie had an affair which is now being weaponised as she asserts her identity and needs. She decides to engage a lawyer forcing him to follow suit or lose custody of their young son; the communication drawbridge is pulled up as the lawyers amplify every marital issue into a war cry on an ever more blood-splattered battlefield.
Nothing new here, you might say, except for two bright lights in a dark place: Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. He is perfect in playing the broad faced deer-in-the-spotlight hapless male, confused over his marital and parental mess-ups…but he sings a beautiful song. She is brilliant in playing a wife no longer willing to be invisible despite still loving the man she married. An ensemble of lawyers include a benignly caring advisor (Alan Alda) and ruthless warriors who take no prisoners (Laura Dern and Ray Liotta).
You don’t need to be a divorce voyeur to find this well-trodden story highly absorbing, mostly because the two stars make it hard to take sides. Charlie’s weaknesses are not unforgiveable and his love for his son and wife continue. Nicole has a right to her own independent future but still feels strongly about him. If lawyers were not involved, things could be very different. Marriage Story is an insightful, witty, and sad portrait of how easily a marital fairytale can turn to a nightmare.
Director: Noah Baumbach
Stars: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Alan Alda, Laura Dern, Ray Liotta
CineMuseFilms 
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I’ve heard only good things about this depressing topic. Nice review, Richard. It will hit home for most of us.
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Really thought the screenplay was fresh and the acting terrific. A mirage of empathy invoked. Marriage should have worked.
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I just have to share this Youtube of Adam Driver singing the 1970s Sondheim song Being Alive. I was too surprised on first hearing to really take note of the words and the feelings, but now it makes me choke. He pulls it off magnificently, flats and all, topping it off with a powerful picture of inarticulate masculinity, pouring emotion out through song. Just listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWengrlMpok
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I also was very surprised by that scene, and not sure what I thought of it initially. But on further reflection, it’s actually perfect.
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It is indeed “actually perfect”.
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Well done. I’ve seen this film compared to Kramer vs Kramer. I think Marriage Story is a bit more complex because there is that ever present tug and jerk of tenderness vs self-survival. I wonder how many divorces begin relatively amicably without attorneys, then as the process of separation drives deeper, someone (usually encouraged by friends/family) decides they’d better protect themselves by hiring a lawyer, and then all hell breaks loose.
Great review.
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The real tragedy displayed in this film (to my understanding at least), was the fact that they could have patched things up if they’d talked it through. Neither protagonist was beyond reason as they were sensible people who were able to perceive the good in one another.
I liked this a lot. The film was well written and well acted. I loved the impromptu song sung by Adam Driver. He has a beautiful voice and sang it extremely well. Next you’ll be telling me he can dance also! What a talent he is!!
One point. Charlie’s “I wish you’d die” speech was a defining moment. No going back after issuing words like that. It was game; set; match; at that instant.
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I agree with your comments Anita, except for the last point. In the heat of battle, couples say appalling things. He wished he could take the words back and she knew he did not mean them and it did not change what was obviously a warm regard they still shared. What do you say to that?
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I do agree with your observation Richard. There are certain areas capable of redemption but I think saying that you’d wish your partner would die is not one of them. I’m trying to imagine myself in that situation and how it would make me feel. It goes without saying these are words I’d never utter no matter how irate I was at the time. (Home truths come to mind).
It was the shared regard that led me to conclude the relationship was salvageable. Had either one of them expressed contempt, it would be beyond redemption IMHO.
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In cinematic context, I think the outburst represents a gendered theme about how men struggle to communicate compared to women. His outburst was so typically inarticulate male, and its hard to imagine those words coming from her.
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“ His outburst was so typically inarticulate male, and its hard to imagine those words coming from her.”
Hmm. Good thinking. That hadn’t crossed my mind and just goes to show what a canny director Baumbach is.
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One of the best movies of 2019! Adam Driver deserves the Oscar nomination even though I am rooting for Antonio Banderas to win.
Driver’s rendition of Feeling Alive is WOW!
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His take on Feeling Alive is indeed amazing.
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