Why Are Mothers Always Held To A Higher Standard, “Marriage Story” explains…
By: Sophia Victoria
Tags: Motherhood, Women, Mothers, Marriage, Marriage Story 2019

As the popularity of divorce movies expands, “Marriage Story” offers a succinct synopsis of what is expected of and from mothers.

“Marriage Story” deals out the life of a stage director and his actor wife. The film showcases the struggles both people within the relationship face. While also taking into account both of their stories. Noah Baumbach, wrote and directed “Marriage Story”. Which may be leading in the understanding of the film’s presentation. Although, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (played by Adam Driver) are given time and room-there is definitely a closer following of Charlie’s experience, process, and prospective. It is Nicole’s account that includes a heavier support system including her family, friends, and lawyer.

Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” offers the narrative that women as mothers are held to higher standards. This is highlighted through the storyline that details an extensive coast-to-coast divorce. As Nicole’s perspective is heavily supported by other characters, it is her narrative that deals with the planning and execution of key attributes to commencing and finalizing the divorce. Nicole, arranges multiple meetings with lawyers on the west coast before deciding on hiring Nora (Laura Dern). As the divorce plays out across coasts, it is Nora who places in a call to Charlie where he questions, “I’ll get a lawyer. Can I get a lawyer here?” Nora responds, “I don’t know where “here” is.” This moment in the film is crucial to setting up Nora’s point of view, and how she furthers the ideas presented in the film about womanhood.

One scene lead by Academy Winner Laura Dern, hones in on the standards at which mothers as women are held. As well as identifying ramifications alongside the difference between set standards for mothers and fathers. Nora prefaces a monumental monologue by saying; “Don’t ever say that. People don’t accept a mother who drinks too much wine and yells at her child and calls him an asshole. I get it. I do it too.” Next, Nora’s monologue addresses all of these aspects. Read it here:

NORA

We can accept an imperfect Dad.

Let’s face it, the idea of a good

father was only invented like 30

years ago. Before that fathers

were expected to be silent and

absent and unreliable and selfish

and we can all say that we want

them to be different but on some

basic level we ACCEPT them, we

LOVE them for their fallibilities.

But people absolutely DON’T accept

those same failings in mothers.

(building up steam)

We don't accept it structurally

and we don't accept it spiritually

because the basis of our Judeo-

Christian Whatever is Mary Mother

of Jesus and she’s PERFECT. She’s

a virgin who gives birth,

unwaveringly supports her child,

and holds his dead body when he’s

gone. But the Dad isn’t there.

He didn’t even do the fucking

because God’s in heaven. God is

the father and God didn't show up

so you have to be perfect and

Charlie can be a fuck up and it

doesn't matter. You’ll always be

held to a different, higher

standard and it’s FUCKED up, but

that’s the way it is.

Excerpt from Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” screenplay