Marriage Story - 3 smiles

"Marriage Story," written and directed by Noah Baumbach, about a marriage that has fallen apart is hard to watch although the acting is superb. While many of the situations and emotions are universal, the main characters are not normal, average people. They are privileged and at times it's difficult to ignore the whiff of entitlement that permeates the production. While we can connect with the characters as fellow human beings enduring emotional trauma, it's difficult to feel for them on a deeper level. Although there are times when Adam Driver has an awkward moment or two, he is believable as a controlling narcissist who sees himself as the victim. And Johansson gives an extremely nuanced performance as a woman who loves the man she's leaving but can no longer stay in the cage she finds herself in.

When the movie begins, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) are in the process of splitting up. The only time we are exposed to 'happier days' are during the two affecting monologues/montages that start the movie when Nicole and Charlie say what they appreciate about the other. The rest of the film focuses on the bitterness that develops as they move closer to their divorce. Nicole moves back to LA to restart her dormant career as a TV actress while theater director Charlie remains in New York. The couple's young son, Henry (Axhy Robertson), accompanies his mom and Charlie makes frequent cross-country trips to spend time with the boy. The split loses its amicability once lawyers become involved. After all, they are interested in two things: being paid and winning while their clients, more often than not, just want to move forward with as little pain as possible. Nicole chooses the no-nonsense Nora Fanshawe (Laura Dern). After initially selecting a shark (Ray Liotta), Charlie backs off and goes for the more grandfatherly (and less expensive) Bert Spilz (Alan Alda). "Marriage Story" has limited release in theaters, but its widespread availability on Netflix will provide greater audience exposure.