Interesting plot and pretty aesthetics

Rating: 9/10 (21 December 2019)

The theme of what it means to be a human seems to be getting into the Hollywood cinematography more and more - and Marriage Story carries exactly that theme, among others.
The value of this movie is mostly given by the story and how it was built, although the aesthetics are quite pleasing and there are some scenes (e.g. when Nicole first opens up to Nora about her marriage with Charlie) that make you aware of the directors' presence behind the camera, in the sense that they make you pay attention to details you wouldn't normally notice (how Nicole casually walks around the room, goes into a bathroom, then the slow close-up on her face while she is making her speech).
Marriage Story presents us with a couple having deep-seeded respect and admiration for each other, which is normal for healthy relationships, however one small decision down the line creates a disastrous butterfly effect. The story of the separation, then the divorce, the lawyers, the fight, the observer - is tragic for a lot of reasons.
First it shows us the cruel world of legal fights, where everything can be used against you in ways you couldn't have anticipated. It is difficult to perceive being a lawyer as something noble, the legal system as something that is supposed to deliver justice and to even get married as something that is worth doing if there is even a slightest chance of getting a divorce in the end.
Then it shows you how lack of money puts you at an incredible disadvantage (which is the case for most aspects of life anyway) and how easily someone can crumble because of it.
It shows you that everything is up for interpretation (e.g. punch in the wall) when there is no context. And even if there is context, people will still misunderstand you (e.g. the knife scene).
It shows you that two people who love each other can metaphorically hold knives against each other under enough pressure. And then it leaves you thinking...
What if?
What if she read the letter?
And you realize that it would not matter anyway, because too much damage has already been done. Which could be okay, if after the whole drama they find happiness again. But then you realize that humans can be so stupid sometimes. You realize that humans are unpredictable, scary, scared - and they never really know what they need. Because they are "figuring things out".
This isn't to say that being human is bad or anything - it's just that being alive is not easy and sometimes being alive is not great. But in the end we are alive and we make the most of what we are, what we choose and what we get.