Marriage Story (2019)

Marriage Story is a critically acclaimed 2019 drama directed by Noah Baumbach, starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. It tells the emotional and deeply personal story of a couple navigating the painful process of divorce, capturing both the heartbreak and the humanity involved. With razor-sharp writing, grounded performances, and haunting realism, it’s a masterclass in character-driven filmmaking.

Detailed Summary

Opening: Love Letters We’ll Never Send

The film begins with Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) narrating what they love about each other—an exercise requested by their divorce mediator. These narrations paint a tender portrait of their relationship, immediately making it clear that this isn’t going to be a “villain vs. victim” story. But Nicole refuses to read hers aloud, signaling the emotional distance already growing between them.

Nicole’s New Life in Los Angeles

Nicole moves from New York to Los Angeles with their son, Henry, to shoot a television pilot. While Charlie believes their separation will be amicable and temporary, Nicole begins to establish roots on the West Coast. She hires high-powered divorce attorney Nora Fanshaw (Laura Dern), shifting the tone of their split from collaborative to combative.

Legal Warfare and Emotional Toll

Charlie is blindsided by Nicole’s decision to involve a lawyer and is forced to hire one of his own—first a compassionate but passive attorney (Alan Alda), and later a more aggressive one (Ray Liotta). The film shows how the legal system, while designed to facilitate fairness, often ends up deepening wounds and amplifying hostility.

One of the most emotionally brutal scenes is an extended argument in Charlie’s temporary L.A. apartment, where the veneer of civility completely breaks down. Shouting matches, accusations, and regrets pour out in a cathartic explosion, leaving both characters—and the audience—shaken.

The Courtroom and Mediation

As custody becomes the central battleground, the courtroom scenes reveal how even the most well-meaning people can become pawns in a larger system. Personal details are weaponized, and past grievances are presented as legal arguments. Despite their shared love for their son and lingering affection for each other, Nicole and Charlie are increasingly alienated by the very process meant to resolve their conflict.

Movie Ending

The film ends on a bittersweet note. Charlie is in Los Angeles more regularly, trying to stay close to Henry. One night, he visits Nicole’s house to pick up Henry and finds the love letter she had written in the opening scene. To his surprise, Henry is reading it aloud.

Charlie finishes reading it himself, overcome with emotion. This moment signals that despite everything, the love they once shared was real—and, in some form, still exists. The film closes with Nicole tying Charlie’s shoe, a small but deeply human gesture that underscores their evolving relationship. They’re no longer lovers or legal opponents—they’re two people who once loved each other and now share a child. It’s a quiet, heartbreaking, and profoundly human conclusion.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Marriage Story does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes definitively with the final moments between Charlie and Nicole. Once the credits roll, there’s no additional content.

Type of Movie

Marriage Story is a drama, specifically a relationship drama with elements of legal procedural. It’s a poignant, realistic portrayal of modern relationships and family dynamics, focusing more on character psychology than plot twists.

Cast

• Adam Driver as Charlie Barber
• Scarlett Johansson as Nicole Barber
• Laura Dern as Nora Fanshaw
• Alan Alda as Bert Spitz
• Ray Liotta as Jay Marotta
• Julie Hagerty as Sandra (Nicole’s mother)
• Merritt Wever as Cassie (Nicole’s sister)

Film Music and Composer

The score for Marriage Story was composed by Randy Newman, known for his emotionally rich and whimsical compositions. The music adds warmth and a sense of intimacy to the story, enhancing moments of both joy and heartbreak without ever becoming overbearing.

Filming Locations

The film was primarily shot in New York City and Los Angeles, the two cities that mirror the emotional and logistical divide between Nicole and Charlie. New York scenes emphasize Charlie’s rootedness in theater and his desire for control, while L.A. scenes highlight Nicole’s quest for independence and a new identity. These cities aren’t just backdrops—they’re narrative devices symbolizing each character’s internal world.

Awards and Nominations

Marriage Story was a major awards contender:

• Won: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Laura Dern)
• Nominated:
  • Best Picture
  • Best Actor (Adam Driver)
  • Best Actress (Scarlett Johansson)
  • Best Original Screenplay (Noah Baumbach)
  • Best Original Score (Randy Newman)

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Baumbach interviewed real divorce lawyers to accurately depict the legal process.
• The script was written with Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson in mind—they didn’t audition.
• The intense argument scene took two days to shoot and was heavily rehearsed, almost like theater.
• Scarlett Johansson was going through her own divorce when she was first approached for the role.
• Many of the courtroom details were based on Baumbach’s own divorce from actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Inspirations and References

• The film is semi-autobiographical, inspired by Noah Baumbach’s own divorce and the custody battle over his son.
• Elements are also drawn from Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage, a seminal work in relationship drama.
• The film nods to Stephen Sondheim’s “Company”, with Charlie performing “Being Alive” in one of the film’s most emotionally cathartic scenes.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No officially confirmed alternate endings exist. However, some deleted scenes included extended family interactions and more footage of Charlie’s life in New York post-divorce. These were cut to maintain focus on the emotional arc rather than logistical aftermath.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Marriage Story is not based on a book. It’s an original screenplay by Noah Baumbach, though it feels novelistic in its detailed character exploration and naturalistic dialogue.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Opening monologue with love letters
• Nicole’s raw, uninterrupted monologue during a session with her lawyer
• The climactic argument between Charlie and Nicole
• Charlie singing “Being Alive” at the piano
• Charlie finding and reading Nicole’s letter at the end

Iconic Quotes

• “Criminal lawyers see bad people at their best. Divorce lawyers see good people at their worst.” — Nora Fanshaw
• “I never really came alive for myself; I was only feeding his aliveness.” — Nicole
• “I can’t believe I have to know you forever.” — Charlie
• “It’s not as simple as not being in love anymore.” — Nicole

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Charlie’s theater company mirrors Noah Baumbach’s admiration for stage acting, particularly realism.
• The opening montage features subtle parallels to their ending, like Nicole tying Charlie’s shoe again.
• Nora’s expensive shoes are a metaphor for her character’s mix of charm, power, and superficiality.
• The “Being Alive” song choice is deeply symbolic—it reflects Charlie’s emotional awakening.

Trivia

• Adam Driver actually sings in the film; no vocal double was used.
• Scarlett Johansson’s monologue was filmed in a single take.
• Laura Dern modeled her character on real-life celebrity divorce attorney Laura Wasser, who also represented Johansson.
• The film was partially financed by Netflix, allowing Baumbach full creative control.
• The film premiered at Venice Film Festival and received an 8-minute standing ovation.

Why Watch?

Watch Marriage Story if you crave emotionally intelligent storytelling that doesn’t rely on melodrama or cheap sentimentality. It’s heartbreakingly honest, masterfully acted, and offers a rare, non-cynical look at modern relationships. Whether you’ve experienced divorce or not, it resonates as a story about growing apart and learning to rebuild.

Director’s Other Movies

• The Squid and the Whale (2005)
• Frances Ha (2012)
• While We’re Young (2014)
• The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)
• White Noise (2022)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Blue Valentine (2010)
• Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
• Revolutionary Road (2008)
• Scenes from a Marriage (1974)
• The Squid and the Whale (2005)
• Her (2013)
• Before Midnight (2013)