‘Marriage Story’ Movie Review: A Poignant and Beautiful Tale Of A Marriage’s End

“It’s not as simple as not being in love anymore.” That’s what Noah Baumbach drives home in his new brilliantly devastating, hilarious, and poignant film Marriage Story. The papers, claims, and lawyers are one thing. But, the emotional struggle is an agonizing battle all in itself in the face of the end of a marriage.

Featuring stellar performances from Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, Baumbach’s Marriage Story weaves through the intricacies of divorce dissecting the best and the worst moments that have led to it. But, aside from the process, the film shines a light on the two people at the very core of it and their grievances, their love, their connection, and their hurdles. It makes you care so deeply for them. So much so, in fact, that even if I haven’t experienced divorce one way or another, the film has left my emotions a mess. Despite its somber tones, however, Baumbach’s compassionate look on the subject matter also allows elements of hope and humor to find themselves in the mix. All at once, it encompasses everything a marriage story has.

Beginning at the End

From the get-go, the marriage is already in shambles. At first, Nicole (Scarlet Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) Barber try to do it amicably without lawyers. But, when Nicole leaves her husband’s theater company and moves to LA to pursue an acting career there with their son Henry (Azhy Robertson), the entire situation shifts dramatically.

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Nicole acquires the services of the ruthless but effective Nora (Laura Dern). And in return, Charlie hires the empathic Bert (Alan Alda) in fear of losing custody over his son. Once the legal proceedings start, every bit of well-wishes the couple had at the beginning crumbles. The animosity of the system just bleeds into their personal engagements. And the bitterness and anger that has built up over the marriage just come pouring out. The little lovable quirks turn into petty insults in their arguments. And they just explode saying hurtful things that neither of them means. From good intentions, the separation becomes an all-out emotional war-fare.

Despite that seemingly bleak overview, however, Marriage Story isn’t consumed by the prospect and casualties of divorce. It’s not consumed by the tragedy of the end of the relationship. Much like living your everyday life, the film shifts moods and tones. It’s also witty, it’s sweet, it’s heartwarming, and everything else in between. The main thing is that it’s honest.

A Raw and Honest Take on Separation

Marriage Story doesn’t try to be a moral compass about marriage and divorce nor does it ask you to take sides. It’s not about who is right and who is wrong. More than anything, it’s about why two people who clearly still care very much about each other drifted apart and why there’s no turning back. And it’s also about how hard it is to move forward.

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On the legal side of things, Marriage Story provides a view of the other aspects of the relationship that are run over by the long, tedious, and vicious process of divorce. In the beginning, neither Charlie nor Nicole cared about money or possessions. They just wanted a clean slate. One thing they both dearly held onto, however, was being a parent to their son. So, when Henry’s custody issues were brought in, the stakes were raised and the avalanche came in. Ironically, as Charlie’s lawyer Bert points out, they’re shelling out all this money which should’ve been stored away for Henry’s future to remain close to their child’s life.

In addition to that, there’s also strain with the other members of the family. In the marriage, Charlie has grown close to Nicole’s mom and sister. And now, they’re torn over their fondness for Charlie and their support towards Nicole. It’s more than just two people being torn apart. And there’s no simple solution to it all.

Unparalleled Performances

In addition to Baumbach’s remarkable writing and direction, one of the strong points of Marriage Story is the performances of its cast. Johansson and Driver were impeccable. Both delivered their best performances to date. In one scene, Johansson delivered this monologue, her character’s own recount of events for her lawyer, while flitting in and out of the screen.  And the best word to describe it is powerful. She doesn’t blame Charlie nor does she paint herself as a pitiful wife. Johansson just lays it all out in a matter of fact way. But, even then, she still brings out all the emotions that went through her all those years. It tugs at the bottom of your sympathies.

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On the other hand, Driver does the same. Even though he doesn’t have his very own monologue, his responses to the circumstances also evoke sympathy towards him. Driver never held back in showing his character’s emotional complexities, vulnerability, and shortcomings. And although Baumbach was actually a little bit harder on his character, you really can’t just pin all the blame on him because he makes you understand.

The scene where Nicole and Charlie have their most vicious argument is my favorite performance where both of them are together. Admittedly, it’s one of the hardest scenes to watch because it feels like two people tearing each other apart from the inside. It’s one of those moments where you just want to turn away but, at the same time, you can’t help but be drawn to. But then, it’s also a culmination of Johansson and Driver’s best. The complexity of their characters, the care, the spite, and where everything just falls apart between them just comes rushing out. And these two actors exercise just the right amount of tug and push that makes the passion, rawness, and vulnerability reach the viewers. In this film, both actors have set very high bars for their careers.

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In addition to them, the supporting cast was marvelous as well. Laura Dern in her role as Nora makes me want to have her as my lawyer. She’s tough and brutal in all the right ways. And though she makes sure you know it’s a war, she’s a calm and logical current that lets you safely on to the other side. Alan Alda, on the other hand, is a much more soft-spoken lawyer who’s more empathic to his clients and their struggles. Last but not least, Merritt Wever and Julie Hagerty are frequently and adorably comical in their roles as Nicole’s sister and mother respectively. They provide that much-needed break from all the tense moments in the family.

‘Marriage Story’ Overall Verdict

Marriage Story is definitely not an easy watch. It’s devastating and it makes you feel all kinds of pain. But, at the same time, it’s beautiful and powerful. It makes you feel the honesty, vulnerability, and rawness of it all. And even if there the characters grow to have spite and contempt towards each other, there is plenty of love. And that is what makes Marriage Story so captivating.

Baumbach just didn’t tell a tale. He made us feel it. He made us care about these two characters so deeply and understand them. And then, he showed how these two people who clearly loved each other turn that love into something ugly, the kind of hatred that they’d have only for each other. What’s clear about it all is that it’s also not a story out to change perspectives. It simply takes you through the process of why these two people have drifted even if they still loved each other. And it gives you the dignity of clarity in the end. So, even if it’s devastating at times, it’s worth the torrent of unexplainable emotions at the end. It’s a story worth giving a damn over. And it’s a piece of storytelling that the world needs more of.