A Marriage Falls Apart

by Kathia Woods

You fall in love, you build a life, you have a child, and sometimes that’s not enough. These are the themes explored in Marriage Story.

Charlie and Nicole are that artsy couple everyone envies. He’s the sequential New Yorker. He loves theater and thinks Television is brainless. She, on the other hand, loves the west coast, came from movies, and wants to do Television. These differences and lack of communication are the things that makes them go their separate ways. The one thing that binds them is their adorable son Noah, and even he can’t calm turbulent waters.

Marriage Story is the best divorce movie since Kramer vs. Kramer, in my opinion. Noah Baumbach wrote a brutally honest account of two people that are still in love but can’t seem to find a middle ground. This works not only because of the sturdy script but two incredible performances. Scarlett Johansson, who in years past has garnished more attention for things she said in interviews, gives her most moving portrayal as Nicole Barber. Nicole is a young woman that fell in love and, like so many women, built her life around her husband. Oddly enough, I did not find myself rooting for Nicole in this conflict. This isn’t because of Johansson's performance, but if anything, it’s a compliment. Johansson wasn’t afraid to play selfish.

Adam Driver, as Charlie is giving us another strong outing in a career banner year for him.

Driver as Charlie naively believes that this all can be ironed out smoothly. He’s continuously behind trying to play catch up. It isn’t until he realizes that his lackadaisicalness may cost him his son that he begins to fight back. In my opinion, Charlie never wanted to get divorced. You feel for Charlie and when he utters the phrase, “I want him to know I fought for him” that you silently are cheering for him to win. All his frustrations are summarized by that phrase. He can accept being a failure as a husband, not as a father.

Laura Dern, as Nora Fashawn, is so stereotypical LA. Having dealt with divorce herself, she’s on a mission to make sure that her clients win. She’s not afraid to play ugly. Dern is at her best when she plays neurotic and over the top.

Many of this generation aren’t familiar with Alan Alda’s resume; however, it’s nice to see him on the big screen, giving a strong but moving performance. Bert Bitz Alda’s character is the direct opposite of Nora. He’s calming, reassuring, and attempts to bring some humanity to divorce.

Baumbach with Marriage Story does something rare. He provides us the audience a movie with intense dialogue and male vulnerability. Things that aren’t very common in today’s environment.

He gives us not only powerful words but an amazing portrait of the difference between the two cities. The discussion around space isn’t just in words but also present in the scenery. Baumbach went through great labor to give us details. Details such as the letters or Charlie singing his heartbreak in a piano bar with friends. We care because of Baumbach's words. He also did the unexpected by making the male character more likable. In the words of Nora “Moms have to be perfect, let’s face it the idea of a good father was only invented 30 years ago”

The audience, regardless of being married or single, leaves with a greater appreciation that marriage is hard, and love isn’t always enough. Look for Marriage Story to be in the center of the discussion come awards season that’s how amazing it is.

Scale-I give this movie a 9 because of Driver’s and Johansson’s performances.