Marriage Story: Review by @Kush_Hayes
Im not sure I know how to write a review for a movie like Marriage Story. Ive been through some tragedies of the heart in my time, but none, thankfully, that ever involved lawyers and judges. One thing I know for sure is that Noah Baumbachs Marriage Story might be the best case scenario of what Divorce Law in California could be for that specific demographic of the 10% of Americans in their 30s who get divorced (as of 2017). And it still gets ugly.
Being a male in his 40s, and being Noah Baumbach is also a male, I feel like Adam Drivers characters point of view is focused more over all, even if its just by a nose. Thats not saying the He Said/She Said part of Scarlett Johansson isnt developed, but once she finally decides to bring lawyers in as part of a coworkers recommendation, we see less of her. And to be more diplomatic we less of her side as it is Adam Drivers character who ultimately puts everyone in this situation before our movie even starts.
When we open our movie, our fractured pair are already in Couples Therapy. Theyve decided for sure to separate. But they still arent on the same page and feelings are definitely injured as opposed to just hurt. Scarlett Johanssons Nicole is an accomplished actress who gave up a potential career on screen for one on stage at the direction of Adam Drivers Charlie.
After we discover what Charlies mistake was, we realize its more than just regrets in her 30s that drives Nicole back to the West Coast. We see Charlie in denial most of the film as he thinks the show shes making, wont get past development. Then he thinks it wont get past pilot. Then he thinks that if it wont get past the first season, there’ll be a break to help mend things between him and Nicole. And unfortunately for him, things will only spiral out of control. When he’s not dealing with Nicole, hes dealing with one of three lawyers. And when its none of that, then the kid who hes going through all this for ultimately, wont get in the goddamn car seat.
I dont know if this movie has any spoilers in it. Theres no real ending. Once the divorce is finalized, these two will be in each others lives til the boy turns 18. The process or the journey is seeing the pain of going through this trial of errors. You feel sorry for these two people who once were the best of friends, now become enemies who tolerate each other. We see the awkwardness of a court appointed liaison “observing a natural dinner routine” which everyone know is not natural or a routine of theirs.
This is a very good movie, but I was very disappointed how ugly things could get between two good normal people. We get a very powerful scene where Adam Driver finally reaches his breaking point and while its very early for this, I can see him getting a nomination for Best Actor in Feb 2020 because of it.
Four Blueberries out of Six
Rated R for language throughout and sexual references.
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