One Of The Best

Rating: 9/10 (2 December 2019)

I debated whether or not to even write anything about Marriage Story. It has touched so many people, and I don't want to come at this disrespectfully, because, in my life, I have not experienced divorce. My wife and I have been married happily for 20 years. My parents are about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. And both my maternal and paternal grandparents were married for nearly 70 years and nearly 50 years respectively. So I guess I feel like I'm trespassing here. But I love movies. And I loved this one. And there are many things that are done well in this film. so here I go. First I should say that I have not been a huge fan of Noah Baumbach in the past. It is not like I have anything against directors who concentrate on smaller stories that seem as if they are actually pulled from the pages of real life. In fact, I love independent cinema when it is done well. Alexander Payne, Kenneth Lonergan, and Wes Anderson (although Anderson's films are more surreal sometimes) are some of my favorite directors. Again I think this movie is done well. The screenplay is very good. The acting is phenomenal, worthy of the award nominations I am sure are going to come to fruition. And the direction always seems sure of itself (save for a few scenes that go on longer than they should). But it's more than that. However, before I expand on that let me address some of the things that may make people a little hesitant about seeing Story. It's depressing. There is no getting around that. in fact, there is a point in Story where the depressing part of the film becomes so overwhelming, that it actually begins to almost physically hurt. it's predictable and it knows it. Almost from frame one, everyone who I saw it with knew exactly where it was going. And like in real life, there is no real silver lining. But it's not hopeless. And here is why, if people are hesitant to see this movie, they should ignore those feelings of hesitation. The son. As far as hope is concerned, the son in this film is the most hopeful part of the this couple's existence. He is the glue that keeps the lives of the characters together, even when divorce rips them apart. And as far as it being depressing...well...that's life . But I can say that every depressing experience that I have ever been a part of, and although divorce has not affected me, I have still had my fair share depressing moments, there's always a ray of hope somewhere. The lives of these people have that ray of hope as well. And because of that, there is a feeling that they, in the long run, will be alright. Another reason to see this movie has to do with the supporting characters. From the attorneys, to the extended families, almost everyone has someone who lifts them up when everything comes crashing down. One of my favorite songs is called "Held," by Natalie Grant. In it, there is a line that I love. Grant clearly means it in a religious sense, but almost anyone can relate to it. It says,
This is what it means to be held,
how it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
and you survive.
This is what it is to be loved
and to know that the promise was
when everything fell we'd be held
Everyone has someone who, when life comes crashing down, will hold them. When Story was over, l felt like that would be true for the two main characters in the story. No matter what...no matter where they end up, they will always have the people in their lives to count on. And I think that even includes each other.