Plot Synopsis Courtesy of IMDb.com: “Noah Baumbach's incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together.”

Written and Directed by: Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale)

Starring: Scarlett Johansson (Her), Adam Driver (Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens), Merritt Wever (Signs)

Music by: Randy Newman (Toy Story)

Marriage Story is rated R.

Marriage Story opens with Charlie Barber (Adam Driver) reading a letter to Nicole Barber (Scarlett Johansson) explaining all the reasons he loves her. The married couple is sitting in a mediation to begin the process of their separation - the letters are intended to begin the negotiations on a positive and hopeful note. Originally from Los Angeles, Nicole moved to New York where Charlie worked as a successful theater director. After being offered an opportunity to star in a television pilot back in Los Angeles, Nicole’s vision for her future fundamentally differed from Charlie’s. Being unable to reconcile their changing ideals, Charlie and Nicole saw no other alternative to separation.

Following their tender exchange of affection, the two agree that they will not hire divorce attorneys and insist on working things out themselves. Nicole eventually moves in with her mother in Los Angeles - and takes their son, Henry, with her. Charlie is working on opening a show on Broadway and commutes intermittently to California to spend time with Henry. Despite their best intentions, the couple continue to disagree on their son’s future and ultimately turn to legal counsel to reach a resolution. Through no fault of their own, the cutthroat nature of each of their attorneys turns their relationship increasingly toxic as they present their case for custody of Henry - a struggle their son is the ultimate victim of.

Unlike many other divorce films, Marriage Story brings an almost perfectly-balanced narrative approach and avoids showing any favoritism for either side. As one of the legal assistants in the film says, “divorce lawyers see good people at their worst.” Charlie and Nicole are doubtlessly flawed, but this isn’t so much a film about the couples’ flaws as it is about their differences. What is most heartbreaking is that the two truly still love each other and could just as easily have spent their lives together under different circumstances.

Marriage Story can thank it’s two lead actors for perfectly executing this nuanced relationship - Scarlett Johansson proves once again that she is an exceptionally talented actor and Adam Driver delivers the best performance of the year. Their chemistry is apparent throughout the film as they continue to support each other in the small ways that married couples do. The actors clearly demonstrate that this is not a film about hate and resentment by injecting their performances with subtle affections even in their most divisive moments.

Randy Newman’s original score is perfect for this film - it blends so precisely with the film the audience is hardly aware of it, but it is absolutely essential nonetheless. Much like the pacing of the film as a whole, the score is deliberately soft-spoken and reserved - until it isn’t. Every note feels purposeful and lends a feeling of care and tenderness to the entire film. Marriage Story is not a grandiose film about humanity and heartbreak on a universal level, and the music underscores the mundane tragedies faced by this family as they are torn apart.

As expected for a film about divorce, Marriage Story is transcendently devastating and heart wrenching, but never in a nihilistic or vengeful way. Charlie and Nicole go out of their way to avoid twisting the dagger into their partner, and even when their anger boils over in a hauntingly truthful scene, they immediately try to reconcile and apologize. It’s hard to call Marriage Story cathartic in any sense of the word, but it expertly captures the conflict inherent in any type of relationship in a way that is miraculously and surprisingly relieving.

Reel Rating: 9/10

Marriage Story is now streaming on Netflix.