Noah Baumbach’s incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together.
Just a few years ago, Gwyneth Paltrow gave the world new insight into the complicated world of divorce by coining the term “conscious uncoupling.” As a power term given to eradicate the loss of control, it was very effective in giving dignity to the process…furthermore, if there ever was a picturesque view of the term, this film would be it. And if the promotional tissue being handed out at the entrance of the theater isn’t a warning that you’re going to cry your bloody eyes out, then you totally need to put your feels in check, because this one is a tearjerker.
As the film opens, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) are in a counseling session where the counselor tries to get the results of a written assignment in which each of them was to capture the essence of what originally brought and held them together for a length of time. When Nicole refuses to finish the assignment, the stage is set where they begin to arrange a coping process whereby their young son, Henry (Azhy Robertson), remains the primary focus as they begin to separate who they are from what they do. Charlie, who is a film director, has poured his heart and Nicole’s soul into the fabric of his theatrical existence which he feels his success can only be accomplished within the parameters of the New York lifestyle that he has become accustomed to. Nicole, who gave up her frivolous lifestyle in California to be part of Charlie’s dreams, feels the only way to get back to her roots is to get back to California where her freedom and her family are.
The plot of the film begins to take shape when Nicole’s temporary move to L.A. to complete a project, results in the realization that she is finally at the place where she can reconnect with her past and eventually settle into a lifestyle that will allow her to find herself again. Before long, she connects with high-stakes attorney Nora Fanshaw (Laura Dern) who turns a simple parting of ways, that she and Charlie had initially agreed upon, into a tooth-and-nail showdown, that leaves both Nicole and Charlie in a downward spiral that leaves both of them defending themselves against the system instead of each other. After months of negotiating and repositioning themselves to come out ahead of one another, both Nicole and Charlie realize things have gotten out of hand and in the end, they each begin to hate what they have come to represent to one another and to Henry, so they make a pact to try to reverse the damages together, and protect what is left of the unconditional love they initially had for one another.
Director Noah Baumbach assembled an excellent cast of personalities that literally complimented one another while being extreme opposites. Azhy Robertson as Henry, played an excellent role as the typical child who always seemed to take whichever side was most convenient at the time, expertly representing every child who is wagered between two adults who are totally consumed by their desire to prove a point or many points in the case of divorce. Laura Dern literally stole the show as the hilarious and unforgiving counsel who went beyond her client’s needs in order to satisfy her own guilty pleasures and give clueless Charlie, a run for his money. Alan Alda (Bert Spitz) and Ray Liotta (Jay) added a hilarious turnabout as they tried to represent a client who was woefully unprepared for battle. While the film dealt with serious subjects, the portrayals were very realistic and uncompromising in exposing issues that must be addressed under terms that aren’t always predictable. “Marriage Story” is successful in exposing every bit of emotion that can be experienced when all parties lose sight of what matters most and must re-establish common ground in order to reach common goals. The film, in the midst of its highs and lows, has something for everyone to reflect on and take into consideration.
Available to stream on Netflix Friday, December 6th
Looking forward to this film. Thanks for the tissue warning 🙂