“Marriage Story” (2019) Review

 Netflix’s second shot at a viable “Best Picture”

Directed by: Noah Baumbach

Rated: R

Runtime: 2:17

Review by: Livi Edmonson

Topping the 2020 Golden Globe nominations in the film category with six nods, “Marriage Story” is the Netflix drama that everyone is already talking about this awards season. Starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, and featuring stellar supporting performances from Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta, the film undoubtedly has a shot at not only being nominated in nearly every category at the 2020 Academy Awards ceremony, but also sweeping it clean with its bittersweet narrative and dynamic performances that keeps its audience sucked in at every scene. Showcasing traditional cinematic editing techniques and transitions such as the “fadeout”, as well as a fresh, yet timely story that nearly everyone can relate to or enjoy, especially adults, “Marriage Story” has all of the key ingredients to be a beautiful crowd-pleaser to both critics and audiences.

The plot follows the story of a crumbling marriage between a stage director (Driver) and an actress (Johansson) as they struggle through a nasty coast-to-coast divorce, all the while fighting to keep their child happy. Some might call the film a contemporary “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979) and in many ways, I do agree with this comparison. However, the difference between this film and “Kramer vs. Kramer” falls within the protagonists of “Marriage Story,” who both tend to allow the audience to exercise a certain sense of sympathy with both of them simultaneously, instead of falling into a one-sided narrative trap. 

Something important to note is that although the film portrays a divorce, it is a love story. Sure, one could argue it is mainly a love story between the splitting partners, but I would even beg to argue that the real love story happens within each main character’s self-discovery. The audience sees both characters grow into the person they truly are as the film goes on, proving that some marriages grow after the marriage actually ends. It could even be argued that the film is also a love story dedicated to the two most famous coasts: East and West, and specifically in this case, New York and Los Angeles.

Although the film is not your typical Netflix original film, seeing that it is considered one of those critically-acclaimed, indie films that would barely make a few million at the box office, I think that the choice to have it on Netflix gives this universal narrative a chance to be seen by an even wider, broader audience. Unfortunately, many people are not spending their time at the theater as they once did, and even if they do, it is rare for small, independent films like this one to even be shown at today’s most popular cineplexes. Watching Netflix is also a very passive activity for most people and it can be assumed that when the big awards season officially starts, on January 5, 2020 to be exact, that “Marriage Story” will probably ring a bell when it comes to searching endlessly for something to watch on Netflix, and now everyone can watch it and join in on the fun. Well, sadness in this case. Regardless of the mood that “Marriage Story” will leave you in, its initial release on Netflix will help it to reach a new kind of audience, which seems to be the same tactic that other instant awards season favorites, such as “Dolemite Is My Name” and “The Irishman,” have pursued. 

All in all, “Marriage Story” will make you laugh, cry, and even smile. It is heartfelt, emotionally-driven, and ultimately, revitalizing --- despite reinforcing what everyone already knows: divorce is horrible. Not only is it one of my favorite films of the year so far, but also, it is what I intend on betting on for “Best Picture” at this year’s Oscars. If you are not already planning on watching this film over your holiday break, then I highly suggest getting on Netflix and doing so. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own couch! I give it a 9/10.