Beautiful and ugly emotional depiction of a family relationship ending in divorce

Rating: 9/10 (3 May 2020)

Marriage Story is a deep and emotional roller coaster of a film that follows the relationship of Charlie and Nicole throughout their marriage, separation, then into their divorce. The film highlights all of the emotions felt through the beginning and ending of a marriage, as well as, the considerations two people must make for their children, in this particular case, Henry, their son.
At the start of the movie, you gain insight into Charlie's passion of directing plays. As one of his most favorite actors, Nicole, is portrayed as loving acting, or at least being in the light. Similar to the perspectives shown in the 2005 film The Squid and the Whale, this film shows the differences in views that children and adults go through when a family is going through a divorce.
The use of close up shots of the actors when speaking, accentuates the emotion felt during arguments, casual conversation, and the back and forth dialogue between attorneys in the courtroom. In one scene, Charlie and Nicole are in the courtroom and their lawyers are discussing what each person deserves when it comes to money. You can tell that neither one of them wants to hurt the other, but their lawyers are so caught up in winning that it becomes a fight of words in who is the better person and who is the better parent. Both Charlie and Nicole lave the courtroom feeling disappointed, hurt, and angry at the other.
At the time of his first visit to LA, Charlie is laying in bed with Nicole and Henry. He is reading to Henry and the camera angle is set at the side of the bed. In view is Nicole, with a focal emphasis on her eyes. She is listening to Charlie read and begins to cry. This scene seems to be a mourning of the life they shared together and will soon do apart.
Marriage Story uses a plethora of shot techniques to emphasize the feeling and emotion of their words. In a scene towards the end of the film, Charlie goes back to New York, from visiting Henry (and Nicole) in Los Angeles. He has met his theatre company at a local piano bar, which is also presented during the film at different times of their marriage. Charlie proceeds to sing a song, "Being Alive". This song puts the relationship of Charlie and Nicole into a viewpoint that they both will love each other forever and that they were both confused during their marriage.
Overall, I believe this film was directed in a way for the audience to feel connected to the actors. It was a wonderful portrayal of how a relationship of two people can be viewed completely different by each of them. It also shows that although divorce is normally a horrible experience, those going through it can find bright spots and end up amicable.