Charlie (Adam Driver) & Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) are a married couple who have finally given up on each other and agree to get a divorce. No matter what they do to correct the once happy marriage (including counselling), the results remain the same. Marriage Story allows us to witness the lifestyle and personal challenges that come to both Charlie and Nicole as they question the future for themselves and their only son. Things become even more tense and dramatic when both partners seek out lawyers in the pursuit of the custody of their son.
When I first heard that actors Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson were playing a married couple on screen, I couldn’t imagine how that would work. But as I began watching the film, I couldn’t get over how convincing the two areas a married couple. The two show great chemistry which thankfully is kept consistent throughout the entire movie. Even when the two are arguing or disagreeing, you can feel that the two people are connected and were once married. Marriage Story easily has some of the most outstanding performances of 2019 and not just from the leads. It also provided a top-notch supporting cast who were surprisingly entertaining whenever they appeared. Some of the supporting cast actors included Laura Dern, Ray Liotta & Alan Alda who all played lawyers throughout the film. Each actor, just like the leads, was solid and extremely convincing in all areas.
Another key strength is the dialogue and script. It’s quick, snappy, and on top of that, it just feels so real. Considering this is classed as a drama, I never found myself bored during the story. The way the actor’s delivered scripted lines sometimes even comes across as fun amidst the dramatic moments. It’s quite surprising the way this film juggles between the joyful moments as well as the sad ones as we watch everything going on with Charlie and Nicole.
Marriage Story is well directed and has an excellent audio track as well as visuals. At no point did the shots disappoint me or feel out of place. Everything here is enjoyable and comfortable to view for the whole duration. The film has done a great job at providing small transitions between selected scenes which can make it feel like a stage play. Another fun effect is the use of jazz tunes to uplift the tone of the film after a tense moment.
In a nutshell Marriage Story is surprisingly enjoyable considering the film’s themes and topic. Even if you think this type of film isn’t relatable to you, I still highly recommend it. The film’s performances are surprising and had I seen this in a cinema; I would have stood up and applauded it.
9.6/10
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