Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story was one of the biggest Netflix releases of 2019, garnering a huge audience who otherwise might not have seen it in theaters. Focusing on the slow and painful divorce of a married couple, the film was one of the most heart-wrenching of the year.
Due to its acclaim across the board, the film has earned a worthy best picture nomination at this year’s Academy Awards. While it might not stand a chance against some of the flashier contenders, there are still many reasons why it should take home the big prize this year — but also some why it shouldn’t.
Should - Adam Driver’s Performance
Some films are remembered for their writing while others are hailed for their score. If Marriage Story will be remembered for anything, it’s the powerful performances from its lead cast. Adam Driver carries half the weight of the film, playing the husband of Scarlett Johansson’s character.
As Charlie, Driver tapped into the psyche of a husband going through a divorce, and all the heartache and struggle that comes with it. His comedic timing gave much-needed heart to the serious subject matter, and his explosive anger and pain in the standout argument scene will go down as one of the most captivating film moments of 2019.
Shouldn’t - It Leans Heavily On Its Actor’s Talent
Best picture is a finicky category as many put their own criteria on it. For most people, the category is reserved for films that signify strength not only in its relevance but in its capabilities in multiple realms of filmmaking.
While there are a lot of things that work about Marriage Story, it often feels like an actor-heavy film. Without the performances, it certainly wouldn’t work nearly as well. Films that win Best picture should be able to have its strengths lie in several elements of the filmmaking process.
Should - Scarlett Johansson’s Performance
While Adam Driver might have given the best performance of the entire film, the relationship wouldn’t work without the performance of Scarlett Johansson. Nominated twice this year, for both Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit, her recognition should come from her layered performance as Nicole.
It might seem like an easy role to play the sympathetic divorcee, but Johansson does an incredible job to complicate Nicole and her emotions without vilifying her choice to start fresh. Johansson’s performance feels spiritually connected to her role in Lost in Translation, feeling like a full circle moment for the talented actress.
Shouldn’t - Does It Really Capture The Best Cinema Of The Past Year?
Marriage Story is an incredibly emotional character study, and deeply human. It was a beautifully stylized piece of filmmaking with jarringly realistic emotion in a way that most dramas wish they could capture.
That being said, it certainly isn’t the most revolutionary film of the past year. There are for more films like Marriage Story that have come and gone than there are films like 1917 or Parasite. While some might refer to those other films as gimmicky, there is no denying that Marriage Story is far more simplistic by comparison.
Should - Noah Baumbach’s Screenplay
You could get the best actors in the world for a project, but they wouldn’t be anything without a near-perfect script. In terms of pacing and dialogue, Noah Baumbach’s script for Marriage Story is everything it needed to be.
Interspersed with wit and humor, the script is deftly balanced in terms of its drama and comedy. The realism of the conversations and the emotions behind them result in a fantastic final product. One might not want to read a script for a film like 1917, but Marriage Story would pair well with a cup of tea and a comfy seat.
Shouldn’t - Laura Dern’s Overrated Performance
Hear us out. Laura Dern is one of the best actresses working in Hollywood today. Since her earliest films, she has delivered pitch-perfect performances time and again, this film included. That being said, the recognition she is receiving for her role in Marriage Story is shockingly inflated.
While she is perfect for the role, it’s not as if we have never seen Laura Dern play a part like this before. The character is almost identical to her role as Renata Klein on HBO’s Big Little Lies. Career-driven and sick of sexist bull, Dern’s performance is outstanding but familiar.
Should - Randy Newman’s Score
Scoring a film is a fine art, combining two different art forms into one. One of the most beloved musicians turned film composers has to be Randy Newman. More known for his work on Disney and Pixar films such as the Toy Story franchise, Newman brought his own sense of musicality to Marriage Story.
The score is equally romantic and whimsical with a perfect touch of melancholy. Like the film itself, the score is more interested in small moments of emotion as opposed to sweeping orchestral scoring. It’s a fantastic piece of film composition that brings the whole picture together.
Shouldn’t - Noah Baumbach’s Direction
Noah Baumbach’s vision for Marriage Story is obviously deeply personal, writing the script from his own experience and then taking the helm as a director. The viewer can feel his vision all over this film and it was done very, very well.
That being said, it certainly wasn’t the best direction of the past year, and you can see that from the nominees in this category. Rarely is the best picture winner not also nominated for best director. This fact alone could tank the chances of Marriage Story taking home the prize.
Should - The Realistic Depiction Of Divorce
For a huge portion of the country, divorce is a stark reality. So watching Marriage Story as either a person who has gone through a divorce or a child of divorce has to be a hard thing to do.
Nearly every component of the film supports the realistic emotions that come with the disintegration of a marriage. From the toxicity between lawyers to the passive aggression at family functions, it’s one of the most heart-wrenching visions of divorce ever captured on film.
Shouldn’t - The Question Of Diversity
Some might find that diversity shouldn’t have a sway over the awards season. But when the best films of the past year come from some of the most diverse filmmakers and casts, why should the award go to a fairly non-diverse film?
Parasite alone is a better contender, both in terms of the films themselves and the reception it has garnered. Diversity isn’t a knock on Marriage Story itself, but it a dominating factor in the discussion surrounding these awards. That alone hurts its chances immensely.
