MARRIAGE STORY REVIEW
Starring: Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson
Directed By: Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha)
Rated: R
Runtime: 2 hours 15 minutes
Marriage Story is actually the story of divorce.Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson play a couple of theater workers who decide to split up amicably.It, of course, becomes anything but.
Directed by Noah Baumbach, a guy who’s work I have never really cared for.His previous films all give off a Woody Allen vibe and I absolutely loathe Woody Allen films.So I didn’t know what to expect going in.I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy the movie.Turns out, I loved it.
It walks the line between black comedy, blistering drama, and absolute melancholy.It pivots in tone rapidly dodging your expectations.Marriage Story delivers maybe not THE best performances of the year, but the best ensemble performance of the year.The 1-2 punch of Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson is tops this year.Add in a supporting turn from Laura Dern and a brief but memorable appearance from Ray Liotta and you may have the best core cast of a movie this year.Everyone working together and playing off each other is incredible to watch.
One of the sneaky best things Marriage Story does is it doesn’t take a side in this marriage.It never portrays one person to be better than the other.Both are massively flawed individuals.Both mold the truth to their own fitting.It all feels incredibly true to life.Director Noah Baumbach used his own divorce from actress Jennifer Jason Leigh as inspiration for the movie, so that may be where some of the realism comes from.
Marriage Story is a nearly flawless film.This is incredibly rare, but I thought it could have been longer.Which means it was probably the exact time it needed to be.You’re rooting for these people to get over themselves and do the right thing, but they continue deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole so many couples find themselves in.
On a scale of “See It/Stream It/Skip It” – See It – Marriage Story offers one of the best movies on divorce.A terrible subject.But it’s handled in such a careful manner that it is effective throughout.
If you liked Kramer vs Kramer, Lost in Translation, or Scenes from a Marriage you might enjoy Marriage Story
4 out of 5 stars for Marriage Story.Six Golden Globe nominations this week for an emotional story of one marriage that failed.This won’t be the last you hear of Marriage Story.It runs the gamut of emotions.It’s devastating, but uplifting.Funny, but sad.Inevitable, but hopeful.
Streaming on Netflix