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Life After Love

As "Marriage Story" opens, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) are reading prepared notes about what they love about the other person. The voiceover narration switches between points of view and we get a glimpse of a seemingly happy life together. Nicole and Charlie compliment each other, are vastly different but balance each other out, while raising their young son Henry (Azhy Robertson). When the narration stops, the context of their tender affirmations become clear: Nicole and Charlie are getting a divorce.

Writer-director Noah Baumbach delves back into deeply personal terrain, while exploring a family affected by parental separation. He previously did the same with "The Squid and the Whale," focusing on divorcing parents from the perspective of the children. "Marriage Story" tells Charlie and Nicole's story and how they see the world and parenting through the lens of separating. It might seem like an unpleasant sit, but Baumbach's sensitive and intricate touches make "Marriage Story" a leading contender for the best movie of the year.

The family lives in New York City. Charlie is a theater director, who is trying to prepare for his latest production. He is talented and dedicated, and Nicole has put her acting career on the backburner to be a part of Charlie's theater company. Nicole has longed to go back to Los Angeles, and finally gets the opportunity to do so to film a pilot. She brings Henry with her and stays at her mother's home (Julie Hagerty). It's not long before Charlie realizes Nicole is looking to move to L.A. permanently with their son.

Charlie is adamant about staying in New York but wants to remain present in Henry's life, so he flies back-and-forth to spend time with him. Nicole has been seeking counsel from high-powered attorney Nora Fanshaw (Laura Dern), who insists Nicole serves Charlie with papers immediately. Charlie and Nicole agreed to separate amicably without lawyers, but now he must find a lawyer in LA to finalize the divorce (Alan Alda and Ray Liotta alternate as Charlie's lawyers).

"Marriage Story" is, essentially, a coastal tug-of-war as both parents decide to stay where they feel they are meant to be. What makes "Marriage Story" remarkable is its ability to walk a fine line of not creating victims or villains out of any of the characters. Baumbach is telling a story he experienced in his real life, so there is an inclination for the movie to give more time to Charlie, but he is never painted as the wounded animal of the film, forced to fly east-to-west in order to see his son. He has to make financial sacrifices, sure, but seeing his son is his top priority. Charlie and Nicole are both deeply flawed, and there is no one answer for their decision to get divorced. The movie's impartiality is the key to its success.

Baumbach's screenplay achieves a surprising and tricky tonal balance in telling a domestic drama. Moments in "Marriage Story" are laugh-out-loud funny, thanks to Merritt Wever's impeccable timing and delivery as Nicole's sister. Dern delivers a monologue that must be seen to be believed and elicited laughs and a riotous applause at a screening during this year's Toronto Film Festival. The supporting cast are essential to telling this story.

The comedic relief is handled appropriately and used perfectly, but "Marriage Story" is a melancholic tale of a union ending. Driver and Johnasson - in possibly the top performances of the year - navigate how to convey love in a time when it's hardest. They built a life together, had a son and even worked together. Their characters know that doesn't evaporate when they sign papers ending their marriage. When their built-up frustrations with each other rise to the surface, "Marriage Story" never feels melodramatic; it hits even harder.

It's easy to view "Marriage Story" as an actors' showcase - and it certainly is - but the film's craft lends itself to Charlie and Nicole's story. The film is seamlessly cut by editor Jennifer Lame, who moves beautifully between the crisp, golden scenes in L.A. and the beautiful blue streets of New York City (the movie is shot by the great cinematographer Robbie Ryan). Randy Newman's score adds life to every scene. The crafts team have created a textured drama, which feels like a great 1970s drama.

"Marriage Story" is a bit of a rollercoaster, but everything Baumbach offers feels real and honest, where a lesser film would have depended on cheap tricks to elicit an emotional response from the audience. Every frame is finely crafted and every sentence reads like poetry. There are still plenty of films to see in 2019, but it will be hard to find a more involving viewing experience than "Marriage Story."

Marriage Story will be in select theaters starting Nov. 6 and on Netflix starting Dec. 6.