A stage director and his actor wife struggle through a gruelling, coast-to-coast divorce that pushes them to their personal and creative extremes.
Now, this was an unexpected gem to find released on Netflix. Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) team-up for the most un-Disney film of the year. Perhaps team-up is the wrong term for the roles that these two actors have in this film revolving around divorce. Tis the season for Oscar-bait, however, and Marriage Story certainly provides that, with what may be one of the best screenplays of the year.
Adam Driver is quite a prolific actor, starring in 24 films in the last 7 years, and yet I've never truly been satisfied in his performances in any of his roles. That was until I saw Marriage Story. This is a superbly dramatic film that has such a powerful level of character development. Scarlet Johansson and Adam Driver are such a strong acting combo, and it stands as a testament to their acting abilities when they truly disappear into a role. Almost theatrical in its direction, Driver and Johansson thrill and engage the audience, not through action, but through some very convincing monologues, dialogues, and mesmerizingly astute facial expressiveness.
The plot doesn't sound overly unique. It's a premise that has been done several times before, but Noah Baumbach's screenplay holds such a detailed and complete knowledge of the emotional boundaries around the topic of divorce, that there is 100% commitment to the direction from all parts. The characters are real and imperfect, they have their positive attributes and their weaknesses, and the way in which this information is conveyed feels organic. As the audience is taken through a divorce proceeding, we get to observe all perspectives of each stage, and it creates a well-rounded and relatable story.
The cinematography is measured and tempered, forging some stunning moments, accentuating events in frame with subtle zoom and tracking shots, lingering as these past-lovers attempt to reconcile their feelings. Plenty of close-up shots drawing attention to the perfectly crafted emotional performances. Johansson, portraying a wife coming to terms with feelings that she has repressed for years; showing that pain whilst simultaneously trying to hold it back. Driver, portraying a husband suddenly made aware of the falsities within the family unit, where a haircut conveys the emotional complexity of such a simple yet intimate act becoming foreign and strained. Immensely powerful stuff.
It is the full-bodied character development that makes Marriage Story such a poignant film. There is no real antagonist. Both characters have simply had different experiences, and have different wants and needs, so no matter which character you empathise with the most, you can still understand both perspectives.
Highlighting the numerous layers of grey in a process that people consider in terms of black and white, Marriage Story is a great reminder that we are all human, and we are all trying to do what we believe is best. Wonderfully arresting.