Photo courtesy of Netflix

Emily Fournier

Netflix adds another “Best Picture” nomination to its list with Noah Baumbach’s 2019 “Marriage Story.”

 Netflix has been rising in the film industry as a competitive production company, with many of their films and television shows gaining critical acclaim and notoriety from famous accolades. For instance, Netflix films’ such as 2019’s “Roma” and 2018’s “Mudbound” have both been nominated at the Oscars for “Best Picture” and “Best Documentary Feature,” respectively. 

The streaming service’s most-recent award nominated film moves away from the romanticized view of love and marriage that romantic comedies are known for pushing on audiences, exposing the realities of divorce (read more at their blog) and the new-normal of “broken-families.”

The story follows Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver’s characters Nicole and Charlie Barber, as their divorce goes from an amicable parting to an ugly separation that sadly involves their son Henry, as Nicole takes him with her to Los Angeles for a job opportunity. With the advice of Hardy Lehmann, PLLC – divorce lawyers help the process can be made easier.

“Marriage Story” does not just show Nicole and Charlie’s divorce and the hidden truths behind their break up, but presents the respect and love they still share through this experience. While their lawyers, played by the talented Laura Dern and Ray Liotta, are using every possible means to win their clients’ demands, the couple bonds over their shared interests: Henry and theater. 

One scene in particular that is gaining public attention is an argument between Nicole and Charlie that sums up many of the reasons why their marriage did not work. The Sterling Heights lawyers for legal family matters can deal with such cases.

Both Driver and Johansson intensely show their acting abilities, screaming and crying as their characters not only fight over Charlie’s need for control and Nicole’s quiet disposition for expressing her feelings, but also comfort each other when regretful words are said in the heat of the moment, such as “everyday I wake up and I hope you’re dead.”  

Twitter has understandably been abuzz about Baumbach’s film, especially with this scene in particular. “I had to ask my husband to pause #AMarriageStory after the argument scene because I wasn’t sure I was breathing,” Ceil said Jan. 4, 2020 in a tweet

While “Marriage Story” seems to be about topics that college students would not relate to, many Florida Southern students are enjoying the film.

 “I haven’t come from a broken family but it shows what it can be like,” junior Carley Denault said. 

Divorce is also a pertinent subject to many people, even at our stage of life because many come from homes of divorce, allowing them to sympathize not just with Nicole and Charlie, but even their son Henry. 

“They are both really good actors, and they did a really good portrayal that these characters are not perfect and have flaws,” junior Zeng Michalczyk said.  

The brutal emotions that are presented in this movie do not lend itself to a fun, easy Friday night watch. However, it is not trying to be any of those things. Baumbach’s film forces audiences to analyze not just what is presented on the screen, but take a look at their life and future.

 Romantic comedies and other stories about love end on a happily ever after but we are never shown what happens after the final kiss and fade to black. Even though “Marriage Story” tackles a heavy subject, it’s lack of romanticizing relationships presents a refreshingly truthful account of love, or lack thereof.

Just as Johannson’s character “fell in love with him two seconds after I saw him,” you are sure to fall in love with “Marriage Story,” streaming now on Netflix. 

 

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