Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole Barber (Scarlett Johansson) are happily married, or are they? Their marriage, that has been known for some time now, as loving, caring and passionate, is slowly falling apart. Marriage Story is the struggle that Charlie, Nicole and their son, Henry (Azhy Robertson), face as this family splits up while they, at the same time, attempt to keep their realities intact. As the legal battles, the name calling and the unknown circle and consume the Barbers, life becomes unbearable in some ways and comes dangerously close to being ruined forever.
A major difference between films in the early to mid 1900’s and now is that the length of scenes are much shorter now. It’s no secret that viewers have changed and, with social media and streaming services, they have come to expect things to happen at a much faster pace rather than having to wait to get to the good stuff. Writer-director Noah Baumbach chooses to shake things up a bit and extend the majority of the scenes in Marriage Story. There are times when the scenes appear to drag, but Johansson and Driver have the ability to reel in the audience with their impeccable talent. There are two scenes, in particular, one with Johansson and Laura Dern (Nora Fanshaw) and another with Driver and Robertson, that requires the two leads to change their tone, their mood and their overall demeanor within seconds. It seems that each scene lasts for more than ten minutes (this may be, to some extent, an exaggeration, but it feels this way). It seems impossible for an actor to change the way they are feeling so quickly and dramatically without cutting, changing makeup or lighting, etc., but both Driver and Johansson are able to do this with what appears to be ease.
The two characters (who act as both protagonists and antagonists at different moments throughout Marriage Story) are so relatable. Their pain is understood, and their often inability to determine what is the right course of action resonates with audiences. Everyone who watches Marriage Story is able to identify with at least one character in more than one way. Baumbach ensures that neither Charlie nor Nicole become one dimensional and attract a wide-range of audiences. The uncertainty flowing throughout the film keeps audiences on edge and contributes to their ability to stay focused through some of the more difficult, longer scenes.
The acting is fantastic and is, in many scenarios, the primary reason why audiences are able to remain focused throughout Marriage Story. However, there are times when actors other than Johansson and Driver are not the primary focus of a scene and the film suffers as a result. The extended scenes that focus on anyone other that Charlie or Nicole are difficult to appreciate and even more difficult to remain focused on.
The story is wonderfully relatable and allows audiences to make connections to Charlie and Nicole. What furthers this ability to relate is the performances of both Driver and Johansson. It cannot be overstated how brilliant the two are throughout Marriage Story and that they deserved each and every nomination they earned. Dern won multiple awards for best actress in a supporting role, and, while she deserves it, it seems unfair to the leads that they were not given a win for their performances. With as wonderful the story and the acting is, there are moments that are difficult to watch due to their length. The subtle, but laugh-out-loud comedy is appealing and endearing and is able to connect with audiences in both remedial and provocative ways. All-in-all Marriage Story delivers a sentimental story of love, loss and family that has the ability to make audiences laugh, cry and reevaluate their lives. Baumbach’s script and direction are brilliant, making Marriage Story a one-of-a-kind experience.
Written & Directed by Noah Baumbach. Starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, Ray Liotta, Azhy Robertson, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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