Classic drama, taken to a new level

Rating: 9/10 (27 December 2019)

Let's face it. Baumbach is clearly a fan of Woody Allen, later Ingmar Bergman and Sydney Pollack. He's classically schooled.
This is no news, though. We could see it sip through in his earlier works; the humanism, the humour and the great eye for details. Both in the form of cunningly interspersed metaphors and everyday things. While the dialogue is excellent, the visual language communicated is just as subtle and balanced.
We follow a couple and their son. Her an actress, him a theatrical director, during the excruciating escalations of their divorce. Seemingly without them anticipating any of it. A plot like this could easily be bland and repetitive without the writing and directing from someone like Baumbach.
When it comes to acting, this kind of movie needs experienced and highly talented participants. Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and the whole cast deliver just that. And more!
This is one of those movies where both cast and crew exceed themselves and thakes their art and career to a whole new level.
All this to the beatiful and fitting musical score by Randy Newman.
Without doubt the movie of the year!