Marriage Story Review

Marriage Story Review
Myla Tosatto

The title of the new film, Marriage Story, is a misnomer. It’s not actually a movie about marriage. It’s a movie about divorce and the havoc it wreaks on our protagonists Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver). Nicole and Charlie have had a happy, if not lopsided, relationship for about a decade when they decide to end their marriage and family, that also includes 8-year-old Henry (Azhy Robertson). This probably seems like a bleak premise for a fun night at the movie house. This seems like it should be hard to watch. But it isn’t. The viewer understands what Nicole and Charlie are going through and empathize with them when they dissolve their marriage. They aren’t bad people who should be blamed; they are good people who have grown apart. It is a testament to the performances of Johansson and Driver and the script and direction by Noah Baumbach.

Since divorce is the theme and Nicole and Charlie are the protagonists, any guesses on who the villains are? Did you say the family lawyers? If so, you are correct! Marriage Story is graced by three larger than life actors to portray the dastardly attorneys- Laura Dern plays Nora, the charming lawyer with the ferocious bite, for boisterous bluster we have Ray Liottta as Jay and as the sweet yet wishy washy lawyer Bert, legendary Alan Alda rounds out the trio. It’s Goldie Locks’ smorgasbord of great performers!

Go see this movie now since it will be a BIG contender come awards season. I see many nods coming its way. But if you can’t make it to the movies know that it will be released on Netflix in December. For many reasons you won’t want to miss this one but especially for one of the best scenes at the movies in 2019: Adam Driver’s Charlie lets loose with a version of Being Alive that would make any theater geek proud. I had no idea that Kylo Ren could croon like that!