From Noah Baumbach comes Marriage Story, the writer-directors' autobiographical feature made for Netflix about a coast-to-coast divorce. Starring Scarlett Johansson as Nicole and Adam Driver as Charlie, is Marriage Story a perfect filmmaking union or do irreconcilable differences prevent it from coming together as such?
When Charlie and Nicole's marriage reaches the end of the road, so begins a lengthy and arduous coast-to-coast divorce process that sees the couple trying to separate while attempting to maintain their family unit. Laura Dern, Alan Alda and Ray Liotta star alongside Driver and Johansson in one of a handful of Netflix titles looking to find award season success over the coming months.
When Charlie and Nicole's marriage reaches the end of the road, so begins a lengthy and arduous coast-to-coast divorce process that sees the couple trying to separate while attempting to maintain their family unit. Laura Dern, Alan Alda and Ray Liotta star alongside Driver and Johansson in one of a handful of Netflix titles looking to find award season success over the coming months.
Raw, delicate and profound, Marriage Story is as captivating as it is heartbreaking in its depiction of a divorce and the rifts caused more so by the unforgiving procedure than the actual marriage breakdown. Influenced by his own first-hand experiences, Baumbach's screenplay is a beautifully written and carefully observed piece that so carefully presents both sides of the relationship: at all times balanced and impartial, Baumbach's decision to spend equal time with both Nicole and Charlie, essentially dedicating half of the runtime to each of them, allows a more thorough examination of their viewpoints and outlook in an honest and non-judgemental way, with the film benefitting extensively from the care and attention afforded to each character.
Likewise, Baumbach's direction is gorgeously simplistic, thoughtfully giving his performers the space to breathe and convey their emotion as authentically as possible. His sharply impressive blend of drama and comedy provides the film with some much-needed tonal variety, the often laugh-out-loud comedic beats (and a couple of musical sequences for good measure) perfectly counteracting the heavier heartache. Across the board really, it is a superb balancing act operating in perfect unison at all times. Robbie Ryan's cinematography finds such beauty in the typical mundane, an extremely accomplished feat, while Randy Newman's gorgeous score is easily one of the year's best compositions, enhancing every emotion palpably.
Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver deliver two of the very finest performances of the year, so stellarly commanding a film that really depended on its actors to produce the goods. Driver's naturally cool composure is spliced with brief moments of anger, passion and sadness that fantastically texture his performance, while Johansson's tender work is so deeply felt, a stirring and soulful performance that radiates joy and sorrow in equal measures. It appears to come effortlessly to both of them - of course, a testament to the naturalistic writing, too - with their on-screen dynamic so utterly convincing in its exploration of the various shades of love they have, do and will feel for each other. It's quite stunning to witness two such talented actors collaborate on a project that really showcases their brilliance.
Of the supporting cast, Laura Dern's Reneta Klein-esque performance steals the show. In a sure-to-be-memed role that will stand as the film's highlight for many, Dern plays to her strengths with a particularly rapturous speech that will bring the house down - if you're lucky enough to see this playing in a theatre.
Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver deliver two of the very finest performances of the year, so stellarly commanding a film that really depended on its actors to produce the goods. Driver's naturally cool composure is spliced with brief moments of anger, passion and sadness that fantastically texture his performance, while Johansson's tender work is so deeply felt, a stirring and soulful performance that radiates joy and sorrow in equal measures. It appears to come effortlessly to both of them - of course, a testament to the naturalistic writing, too - with their on-screen dynamic so utterly convincing in its exploration of the various shades of love they have, do and will feel for each other. It's quite stunning to witness two such talented actors collaborate on a project that really showcases their brilliance.
Of the supporting cast, Laura Dern's Reneta Klein-esque performance steals the show. In a sure-to-be-memed role that will stand as the film's highlight for many, Dern plays to her strengths with a particularly rapturous speech that will bring the house down - if you're lucky enough to see this playing in a theatre.
Who knew pain and melancholy could result in such a rewarding cinematic experience? Be prepared for Marriage Story to break your heart (and mend it a little), with Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver's beautifully-matched performances thriving in Noah Baumbach's semi-autobiographical feature. Without meaning to sound hyperbolic, the emotionally powerful and heartbreakingly authentic Marriage Story is comfortably one of the year's best films. It's not to be missed - and you really have no excuse as it lands on Netflix next month.
9/10
Summary: Noah Baumbach's stellar work on both the writing and directing front, alongside the might of Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver lead performances, unite in blissful cinematic matrimony in the heartbreakingly beautiful Marriage Story.
9/10
Summary: Noah Baumbach's stellar work on both the writing and directing front, alongside the might of Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver lead performances, unite in blissful cinematic matrimony in the heartbreakingly beautiful Marriage Story.