The tragicomedy "Marriage Story" by Noah Baumbach dissects the after-marital life of Barbers, an actress Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), and theatrical director Charlie (Adam Driver). It is about the painful parting of two loving people who have outgrown their relationship, reached a dead end, and are suffocating, but the pain of splitting cuts like a knife. Marriage is dying, but love is alive. How can this be? It sounds paradoxical and meaningless, but it's true. They know everything about each other, and their relationship is deep. She will still order his food in a restaurant. He trusts only her to cut his hair. They can't be together, but it hurts to part. And when highly paid divorce lawyers come into play, the pain becomes unbearable. All past mistakes, wrong steps, unsolved problems, and hidden grudges will be pulled to the surface. Everything will stick out like an infected abscess; everything will be distorted like in a house of mirrors. The film is permeated with tenderness and cruelty, humor and sadness, laughter and tears. A simple talkative story hits you in the gut and leaves you with a lump in your throat. The dialogues and monologues are brilliant, and the acting work of Johansson and Driver disarms with sincerity of emotions and depth of feelings. Alan Alda, Ray Liotta, and Laura Dern shine in supporting roles. Based on the story of his own failed marriage Noah Baumbach wrote and directed a poignantly beautiful and sad film, perhaps his best.
Review of Marriage Story
