Alda is priceless

Rating: 7/10 (3 January 2020)

Marriage Story is a slightly misleading title, as it is not as much a story about a marriage, but is in reality, more of a divorce story. It is not a romantic comedy (romcom), but is maybe the avant garde of a new genre, the divorce comedy (divcom).
Despite the main characters being relatively loathsome, self-absorbed, and otherwise squarely falling into that mythical status of upper-middle class, it is difficult not to stumble along with them for their journey to at least try to become more self-aware. This is accomplished through laughs and cries, songs and dances, and attorneys.
ScarJo and AdDr are no Hepburn and Bogart, yet we get an inkling they could be a Taylor and Burton with a few more highballs. The real bravura comes from the side scenes with Laura Dern, Ray Liotta, and Alan Alda, all of whom would likely have seen success as attorneys had life's mysterious quirks nudged them that way.
It's nice to see Mr. Liotta in movies again, no longer trying to quit smoking, no longer extolling the virtues of savoring tequila, his face looking so tight he could have gotten whacked in The Irishman without the youth-enhancing algorithms. Better yet, Marriage Story confirms Mr. Alda can do no wrong, whether it be microwaving or eating.