Marriage Story (2019)

Marriage Story is an amazing film. It's Noah Baumbach's best film. It's a film about divorce. 

Those three statements are completely unexpected, and I'm thrilled to be saying them. Reminiscent of 70's tearjerkers like Kramer Vs. Kramer, with a pinch of Annie Hal, Baumbach has delivered his most emotionally complete and competently structured film to date that effectively grips you into the story of these two characters, and the fractured family that they represent. Nicole and Charlie are flawed people, but really decent. They don’t hate each other at all. They'd do anything for their son. But their passions for their art got in the way of a pitch perfect marriage. This is not a couple that should be getting divorced, but they are. Baumbach's message is clear, and poignant. Marriage is a difficult thing. Not everyone is cut out for it. Even people who love each other tremendously aren't meant to be together forever. But even when divorces begin amicably, it's inevitable that it creates an emotional fracture between the respective partners that can rarely be reconciled. In other words, it's heartbreaking. We really root for Charlie and Nicole throughout. We painfully watch them come further apart, when we wish they wouldn't. 

Scarlett Johannson and Adam Driver give phenomenal performances here. The fight scene between the two of them, as per the climax, is an acting masterclass for the ages. The way they emotionally unravel in front of us is impressively real. Like a true marriage on the outs. The entire film is riveting. Near perfect, had it not been for Charlie's musical number towards the end that felt over-indulgent and pretentious. Noah, you need to get out your own way. 4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars.