Marriage Story
Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, Alan Alda
Directed By: Noah Baumbach
Rated: R
No one goes into a marriage with the intention of divorce. Sadly, this Marriage Story has found itself in that place as theater director Charlie (Adam Driver) and actress Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) are at a crossroads unable to work out their relationship. The two initially believe they can work through their divorce together without a lawyer's intervention. The situation becomes more complicated, and the legal process seeps in to slowly chip away at their civility towards each other.
Directed and written by Noah Baumbach, Marriage Story is adapted from personal experience with his divorce from Jennifer Jason Leigh. The film is expertly directed and written with both Charlie and Nicole’s perspectives on display. Baumbach doesn’t expect the audience to take sides (though I admit, I’ve watched the film twice and fell on one side of the argument both times) but paints a picture of two distinct individuals trying to come to terms with a deteriorating relationship. The opening sequence is a montage of what Nicole and Charlie love about each other. They write out a detailed list of their favorite characteristics about the other person. It’s such a fantastic and detailed opening that immediately sets up everything we need to know about our two lead characters. From there, it’s revealed the two are in the midst of a separation. Although I knew this was a film about divorce, the reveal caused my heart to sink. How could a couple that loves each other so much, be separating? As Marriage Story progresses, Baumbach slowly reveals the elements that shatter a relationship.
One of the most talked-about aspects of this film is the performances. In many ways, Marriage Story is like a stage play with the actors reciting long monologues and even singing a couple of musical numbers. Adam Driver’s Sondheim scene singing “Being Alive” is a pivotal moment in the film that perfectly describes everything the characters are going through. For a film that isn’t a musical, Marriage Story sure does use music to its advantage. Not a single moment of dialogue is improvised, and it’s clear the actors are up to the challenge, giving two of the best performances of the year.
Scarlett Johansson is so great as Nicole that she is most likely going to get that overdue Oscar nomination. Nicole is a former movie actress turned theater performer with Charlie’s theater company. The couple lives in New York with their son, Henry, but all of her extended family lives in LA. When she’s offered a TV pilot in LA, she jumps at the chance. (Only to find that Charlie isn’t thrilled.) He demeans the quality of the show. His life has enveloped her existence since the two got married, but maybe she wants to do something that involves her dreams. The push and pull of finding her independence as a person vs. being a wife to Charlie is a struggle. Johansson gives a stellar emotional performance with gravitas and skill. She’s the mother, the muse, and the wife. At a certain point, when does she get to be her person?
Adam Driver is having the year of his career. Between The Report, Marriage Story, and Rise of Skywalker, he is everywhere. He portrays Charlie as a layered character with levels of narcissism, charm, and resentment. Charlie is an egotistic artist who needs control of every situation. He believes his family must live in New York, or they cannot thrive. When Nicole goes to LA, he lives in denial of her dreams to live in the city. If the idea isn’t under his terms, it doesn’t exist. There's no denying that Charlie loves his son and truly wants what’s best for him. One of the most striking elements of the film is the way he begins to slowly fade out of his family’s life as the divorce amps up. His son doesn’t want to spend as much time with him. He’s removed from the pictures at his mother-in-law’s home. Even his Halloween costumes reflect his growing absence from Nicole and Henry’s lives. Dressing up as the invisible man, then a ghost during the Halloween sections of the film symbolize his fading out of the family unit.
Marriage Story portrays the messiest aspects of divorce. Although Charlie and Nicole initially say they want to settle their separation without lawyers, the situation changes rapidly. The introduction of Nicole’s high profile lawyer Nora Fanshaw (Laura Dern) signals the first step of the divorce amping up. Nora takes no prisoners as she traverses her way through the legal system. This is Laura Dern playing Renata Klein in a Netflix film, and she never disappoints with her scene-stealing. (I could easily see her getting a Best Supporting Actress nomination here.) As Nora blindsides Charlie, he shops around for his lawyer. His options are a low-key family lawyer played by Alan Alda or a brutal and expensive LA lawyer played by Ray Liotta. One is kind and understanding, but the other will fight tooth and nail to get Charlie a fair custody arrangement. Which will he choose?
The entire divorce process is brutal on both Charlie and Nicole, with the smallest aspects of their marriage weaponized against them in the courtroom. What was once going to be a quiet breakup turns into an all-out war.
What I love about Marriage Story is the three-dimensional characters, intellectual writing, and phenomenal performances. This is a film with depth that peels back a new layer with each passing scene. It’s not a cut and dry situation. You have to look at all sides to truly understand the story of Nicole and Charlie. It may not be a smooth ride, but it’s worth the emotional rollercoaster. Expect this one to be a major awards contender!
My Rating: 9/10