Marriage Story (2019) is a Netflix film directed by Noah Baumbach, starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. It tells the story of a couple going through a divorce but trying to maintain their family.
This film was recommended to me a while ago by a close friend who is also studying filmmaking, and I’m ashamed that it took me so long to watch it but knew it would be a fantastic film to start off my year-long challenge.
It’s beautiful, the acting is phenomenal, and the story is really quite something special. My personal favourite aspect was the way the scenes were edited together, which caught my eye at the beginning of the film – each scene seamlessly flowed together and kept me very much engaged. And the tonal shift when they’re revealed to be in couples counselling to prepare for their divorce hits just the right spot for me. Baumbach set up the story in such a brilliant way, and it would’ve been nice if he had maintained some elements of that throughout the film, too. Alas, it was mainly the beginning that was so stylised.
I’m a big fan of the structure of the story, too. It’s almost as if the two main characters ended exactly where they had started, but in a cathartic way. They were where they needed to be at the beginning but lost sight of that in the middle, before making it back to that at the end. There was a part of me that has gotten so used to stories like this ending in a huge romantic getting-back-together bit that was a little disappointed (maybe because I’m overly invested in Adam Driver’s character), but I ultimately think it was the best decision to end it like it did. The characters are able to stay a family, to keep their love for another, but separate. I think that’s an important message to share.
I’ve never had to deal with any of the themes brought up in the film – never even had a big, feisty breakup. But the realism portrayed in this film is one of its greatest assets. I was able to understand and empathise with each of the characters in a really great way. They weren’t portrayed as anything more than the humans they were. I think this aspect may be the reason why so many people are perking up to this film… There does seem to be a favouring of realistic, authentic portrayals.
What I personally didn’t enjoy about Marriage Story was how ‘theatre’ it felt at times to me. Great long monologues, a heavy reliance upon the acting to tell the visual story, and, of course, the incorporation of the scenes with dancing, acting, and singing. I zoned out most during the scene where Charlie (Adam Driver) performs his song – it took up too much time, and didn’t reveal enough about the plot or move the story enough for me. Though it was very pretty, and I know my friend would’ve thoroughly enjoyed these little moments.
Overall, I think it’s a very nice film, but I probably wouldn’t see it again, just because there’s not ‘enough’ in it to warrant a re-watch. Though I would recommend to others!
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