A more balanced approach to a divorce story, one of the year's best

Rating: 10/10 (29 December 2019)

The script makes a commitment to presenting both parents involved in the divorce responsible for both the marriage ending and the escalation within the legal system. The film works hard-in a tender realistic way-to avoid turning this into a battle of the sexes movie and the story comes across as fair *and* informed by reality. It is lacking some of the nasty MRA/Manospherean subtext that can crop up in films like this, i.e. Kramer Vs Kramer. Best of all the film has nice running sense of dry humor that really helps sell this as an authentic story. The film isn't even a dramedy but there is enough of a comedic energy present to make the tragic elements hurt all the more. The script is a tight piece of writing that is clearly been informed by lived experience.
The cast is quite good. Driver turns in one of his best performances. There is a entitled edge to his performance that rings genuine for the character he is playing. Johansson gives a tour de force of tenderness, anger and inner strength. She can be quite a good actress when given the proper material to work with. It was nice seeing Alda again in a role of the voice of wisdom.
The film's visuals and direction do not stand out in anyway. That is ultimately a good thing; there is a restraint here that puts the story in italics.
This is a very good movie.