Allan Watched "Marriage Story"
Somewhere between a dark love story and a legal procedural, Marriage Story is a cutting yet beautiful masterclass of writing and acting, all equaling one of the best films of 2019.
Gut Feeling
It is a shame that the first introduction to this film for most people is a meme (one that I laugh at on the train as I scroll through Twitter every day), because this film deserves to be taken seriously and really absorbed. Marriage Story is likely Noah Baumbach’s (The Squid and the Whale, The Meyerowitz Stories) finest work, and is aided by some of the best acting of the year from Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, and the rest of the high-powered cast. Marriage Story is worthy of all six of its Golden Globe-leading nominations, and will have a lasting impression far beyond its meme-fame.
Baumbach’s Tale with a Score to Fit
There is not a lot of filler in Marriage Story. Every scene is packed with long spurts of dialog and carefully crafted direction, making me wish I was watching it on a stage and not on my 13-inch MacBook. Like many of Baumbach’s previous successes, the script is equal to the level or performance it drew out of its stars, but also benefitted from what will be another Oscar-worthy soundtrack produced by the incomparable Randy Newman. The vamping subtle score elevates every scene, particularly the open monologues from Driver and Johansson, really setting the stage for the ending of a love story we are stepping into.
Scarlett and Adam and Laura and Alan
Driver and Johansson deserve every drop of praise they are receiving for this film that is a very welcomed change of pace from their respective billion-dollar blockbuster franchises. Each gets ample time of their own and together to show the pain and deterioration of the divorce between Nicole and Charlie. The opening monologues they produce really stick with you, with each making the case for why they love the other in a voice over, while the subject is acting in front of us. Their scene that is now a meme is one of the most powerful scenes you will ever watch, and their performances are absolutely worthy of the Kramer vs Kramer comparisons, and the major nominations each will continue to get for their roles.
As for the rest of the cast: not too shabby. Laura Dern is a scene stealer and should be a leading candidate for all of the Best Supporting Actress categories this season. Her ability to go from a cutting, brutal lawyer to a sweet small-talking friend was a joy to watch, and you both hate her and want her to be your lawyer all at the same time. Alan Alda, on the other hand, provides the perfect foil as Charlie’s gentle but not quite as good lawyer, who instills some calm during the chaotic scenes in the middle of this harsh divorce. We need him as much as Charlie did, and it is a nice reminder of Alda’s versatility.
Random Thoughts
The other supporting players are great and add a lot of the laughs to the film. Ray Liotta and Kyle Bornheimer (Brooklyn 99) are a great modern-day Vaudevillian take on super lawyers, while Julie Hagerty (Airplane!, What About Bob) and Merritt Weaver (Nurse Jackie) pack in the funniest moments in their small roles as Nicole’s mother and sister.
“I have a kid named Fred” may be my favorite line of 2019, while “Your posture was too dignified” is the winner for “The Best Line That Would Definitely Be Said By A Stage Director Living In Brooklyn”.
I too always brew beverages that I never finish.
The writing really is remarkable. From the opening monologues to the subtle layering of moments that end up unexpectedly becoming crucial through the course of the story, this really is my favorite script Baumbach has produced (I do love The Meyerowitz Stories, though).
The Monopoly bits were as predictable as they were funny.
Kids with that haircut apparently make their parents get divorced, according to cinema.
Quick Hits:
How many times have I seen this movie?
First time!
Where was I watching it?
In my office, super hungover from NYE.
Favorite trivia about the movie
Baumbach showed the script and film to his ex-wife Jennifer Jason-Leigh, which I maybe would have advised against…
Favorite part
Charlie being served.
Least favorite part
The knife bit.
Would I recommend this movie?
Absolutely, it is one of the finest movies of the year, starring a cast we love.
So What Does Allan Give It?
Two Gold Thumbs Up! Overall, a score of 92. One of my top five favorite films of 2019, and a true joy to watch.
