Thursday, June 30, 2022
flickfeast
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festivals
  • FrightFeast
  • Spotlight
  • Contribute
  • Submissions
    • Advertise on Flickfeast
    • Submit a Film
No Result
View All Result
flickfeast
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festivals
  • FrightFeast
  • Spotlight
  • Contribute
  • Submissions
    • Advertise on Flickfeast
    • Submit a Film
No Result
View All Result
FLICKFEAST
No Result
View All Result
Home Festivals

LFF 2019: Marriage Story (2019) Film Review

Katie Smith-Wong by Katie Smith-Wong
October 9, 2019
in Festivals, Film Review
14
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Marriage Story is the latest film by Frances Ha director Noah Baumbach and is his arguably most accessible feature to date. The film stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver as a couple going through a divorce between New York and Los Angeles.

Despite an initial quirky, harmonious view of each other, Marriage Story quickly shatters this idyllic marriage by establishing their detachment and friction, which stem from ignorance and stubbornness. He carefully crafts the script around the couple to allow subtleties to slowly break down their marriage. Baumbach also ensures a constant discomfort between Nicole and Charlie threatens their already fragile relationship, to the extent that it is hard to understand why they are together in the first place.

You might also like

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review

Nitram (2022) — Film Review

Elvis (2022) – Film Review

In Marriage Story, Johannson delivers her best performance yet as Nicole, who strives to have her own identity away from Charlie. Johansson balances her character’s boldness with small heartfelt moments, showing that Nicole’s true emotions. A key scene sees her beautifully describing their first meeting to lawyer Nora (Laura Dern), as she is able to relay the poignancy she cannot share with her husband.

Seen as domineering and selfish, Charlie finds himself at a disadvantage in this battle. Thanks to Driver’s engaging performance, he is barely able to convey his frustration with Nicole’s increasing attachment to California – contradicting his affirmation of being a ‘New York family’. The fact that her new life in LA is aiding her case adds insult to injury, culminating in a tense, hate-filled argument that highlights both Driver and Johansson as actors.

Extra credit goes to Marriage Story‘s supporting cast, who offer an extra layer of friction between the couple. Dern and Ray Liotta provide great performances as the couple’s cutthroat lawyers while Alan Alda, Julie Hagarty and Merritt Wever offer light relief. Azhy Robertson is also a wonderful addition as the couple’s son Henry, who is blissfully unaware of his parents’ troubles.

In addition to the screenplay, Baumbach’s direction highlights the growing distance between the protagonists. By placing them at opposite ends of the country, he shows that they are unwilling to compromise on their separate lives. So despite their mutual hopes for a peaceful resolution, audiences see that this divorce isn’t going to go smoothly and it is heartbreaking to watch.

Marriage Story ultimately reminds audiences that marriage is a tale of two halves. Thanks to Driver and Johansson, this is a story that cannot be missed.

Director: Noah Baumbach
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta
Runtime: 136 minutes
Country: USA

Film Rating: ★★★★★

Tags: Adam DriverAlan AldaBFI London Film Festival 2019film reviewlaura dernLFF 2019Marriage StorynetflixNoah Baumbachray liottaScarlett Johansson
Katie Smith-Wong

Katie Smith-Wong

Related Posts

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review

by Katie Smith-Wong
June 29, 2022
Nitram - review
Film Review

Nitram (2022) — Film Review

by Johannes Black
June 27, 2022
Elvis (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Elvis (2022) – Film Review

by Dallas King
June 20, 2022
The Black Phone (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

The Black Phone (2022) – Film Review

by William Stottor
June 21, 2022
Lightyear (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Lightyear (2022) – Film Review

by Dallas King
June 16, 2022

Recommended

Lindsay Lohan jailed for 90 days

July 7, 2010
A Ghost Story (2017)

A Ghost Story (2017)

August 5, 2017

Don't miss it

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review

June 29, 2022
Nitram - review
Film Review

Nitram (2022) — Film Review

June 27, 2022
Belle (2021) - Home Entertainment Review
HE Reviews

Belle (2021) – Home Entertainment Review

June 27, 2022
Father of the Bride (2022) – Film Review
Reviews

Father of the Bride (2022) – Film Review

June 25, 2022
Elvis (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Elvis (2022) – Film Review

June 20, 2022
The Black Phone (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

The Black Phone (2022) – Film Review

June 21, 2022
flickfeast

Whetting your appetite for cinema with the best film reviews and features since 2009

© Copyright - flickfeast. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festivals
  • FrightFeast
  • Spotlight
  • Contribute

© Copyright - flickfeast. All Rights Reserved.

Posting....