Marriage Story reviewed by Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode reviews Marriage Story. Charlie and Nicole decide to dissolve their marriage amicably, but things quickly become heated when legal processes and long-held resentments come to the surface.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark’s review of the film. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
If you like this, why not subscribe to our podcast for more reviews, interviews and general wittering of the highest order: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00l...
Twitter: @Wittertainment
www.bbc.co.uk/5live
Fridays at 3pm on BBC 5 live.

[@karaslam]

Kermode Uncut. I miss you.

[@Cobralalalala]

Agreed. As much as I like the podcast, it's not the same.

[@charlie5115]

Easily my favorite movie of the year. That scene when Adam starting singing towards the end..? Oh man.

[@CorbCorbin]

Charlie Wrecked me.

[@norm3844]

“Make me alive”

[@tuna2172]

wake me up inside

[@hollow8630]

Can’t wake up

[@mjm5081]

I laughed...I cried...I've never been so happy to be a single man without kids who sleeps with a cat!

[@KingMinosxxvi]

Yep....and that character is a genius...where does that leave jo shmo

[@johnhenry4844]

That’s a tragic life cope bro

[@mjm5081]

@@johnhenry4844 ❤

[@MacIntoshMann]

That poor cat! You keep away from him…

[@mjm5081]

@@MacIntoshMann *her 😉

[@popcultureinc.853]

Adam Driver deserves to win Best Actor for this performance

[@ajpat9620]

Joaquin Phoenix is coming for a win for Best Actor.

[@nikitamohan3390]

@@ajpat9620 But Oscars are not given out based on box office results and popularity. I have to see Marriage Story to decide who deserves it more

[@ajpat9620]

@@nikitamohan3390 It depends on how you and I look. But besides, both Joaquin Phoenix and Adam Driver are in contention in the Best Actor category. Like, they're not going anywhere.

[@julianmx13]

that Oscar race is going to be crazy this year

[@nikitamohan3390]

@@ajpat9620 Ya the Golden Globe nominations are out both got nominated but it was weird Robert DeNiro didn't even get a nomination for Irishman??? Weird

[@parnikaandpavanijoshi551]

Adam driver has a really wide range of acting styles, it's absolutely incredible!

[@hunnerdayEDT]

Adam Driver is on fire this year. With this movie and “The Report”, he has a great shot at a Oscar nomination.

[@austinbond2527]

hunnerdayEDT nomination? He’s currently the favourite to win Best Actor for this film

[@hunnerdayEDT]

@@austinbond2527 I hope you are right but nothing is guaranteed. Jake Gyllenhaal was left off the ballot the year he was in "Nightcrawler " for example .

[@Hypno_BPM]

hunnerdayEDT don’t forget Star Wars too 😂

[@ajpat9620]

@@austinbond2527 Joaquin Phoenix is most likely to win an Oscar. Both he and Adam Driver are in neck-for-neck for that win.

[@ffeff8353]

"On fire this year"?!? He's on fire whenever he's onscreen. Truly wonderful actor.

[@ajpat9620]

Marriage Story is deserving of following nominations at the Oscars: Best Picture Best Director for Noah Baumbach Best Original Screenplay Best Actor for Adam Driver Best Actress for Scarlett Johansson Best Supporting Actress for Laura Dern Best Original Score for Randy Newman Best Film Editing

[@markgorman1962]

i'd agree to all of those also Being there as best song. and best cinematography.

[@ajpat9620]

@@markgorman1962 Best Original Song and Best Cinematography are kinda long shot. Only the one being mentioned above are considered for an Oscar nomination.

[@MM-hi]

I agree

[@laplandsint]

Win for screenplay & best actor please!

[@harryleighton5178]

I agree other than score and editing - that should go to the lighthouse

[@colinthedogfromspaced9365]

The son looked like Danny from The Shining.

[@rushofblood994]

colin the dog from SPACED SO TRUE

[@theevokeruser2356]

Saw this at LFF and it was brilliant. This and Portrait Of A Lady On Fire were the amongst the best that I saw there.

[@kaeslabyrinth]

love the "Three Colours: Red" picture!

[@molesticles]

I thought this film was absolutely brilliant! It deserves every comparison to it's great counterparts. It's goes from high intensity, to light yet intelligent comedy breaths. The dialogue is so sharp at times, that I could re-watch it again today and get twice the amount of laughs as I did the first time.

[@bouncyshak]

When you do everything on the group project and your classmate pretends to contribute at the last minute: 3:32

[@thyop89]

I was expecting a more in depth review of this film from Mark, it almost seems like it was mentioned as an afterthought but there is so much to talk about. The film lends itself to analysis and I think it would be a tough job to overanalyse what it achieves. It could have done with its own 20 min segment. I hope the review was cut short because you are planning a more detailed look at Marriage Story?

[@caricatureparty]

Alan Alder is a gem.

[@MadameCorgi]

Who would divorce Adam Driver?

[@Ronariverah]

Only his wife could.

[@SomeSunshineOutside]

@@Ronariverah or his husband. i speak for myself and my man crush fantasies.

[@roofy6645]

Or Scarlett Johansson

[@shalom7457]

His screen wife (character in a show). Lol.

[@valco8371]

the secret to becoming a nominee for best actor is to have scarlet johannson break up with u

[@haydengarinduchesne9269]

Really wanted to see this in theaters , but it wasn’t playing where I live , Going to have to Netflix it in a few weeks , Johansson is always at her best in indie fare and I’ve been an Adam driver fan since his girls days really looking forward to it

[@CLBOO6]

This movie is so amazing and the acting so excellent I can’t help but rooting for both characters.

[@SuperLkelley]

watched it last night. Really impressed me. And I typically steer well clear of such stuff. I think this will end up a classic. Going to go back and rewatch Kramer vs Kramer now to compare. Highly recommended to those on the fence. It ain't fun. But its very real, very fair, and superb performances.

[@renegadeoffunk32]

I was 5 years old and my parents divorced in 1994 and this film certainly hits home as the memories of the separation/divorce are still tattoed in my mind even at that age. It just shows that no matter what you think, children of that age do listen and are observing the relationship of the people around them. I also felt like I was watching the 4th part of the Before film series if Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy didn't fix their relationship in Before Midnight. Fantastic film.

[@luc4299]

Adam driver deserves all of the awards

[@infesticon]

I am so hyped for this. Seeing two people from specticle movies being in a movie that's just shots of them acting.

[@bobjones9497]

Best film i've seen this year, amazing, heartbreaking. Drivers performance is generational, will win best actor in feb

[@TechNoir-wz5ic]

You think it's a stronger performance than Joaquin Phoenix 's in Joker ? I think he might end up winning in February.... It's the best performance i have seen all year...

[@Cos27O]

Phoenix’s performance was so on the big red nose it bordered on pantomime. He’s one of his generations greatest actors but I hope he’s not remembered for Joker.

[@lylehimself9287]

@@TechNoir-wz5ic Idk But I think Adam Driver's in a better movie for sure

[@Cos27O]

@j mula Without question

[@ashraykotian1]

Surprised to find Mark not mentioning the film’s influences from Bergman’s films, something which is directly referred to in the film when Adam Driver’s character glances over a bulletin with an article on their marriage titled ‘Scenes from a Marriage’; a rather obvious reference to Bergman’s film of the same name.

[@Luvie1980]

Love Adam driver

[@stephenfreeman3986]

I have been through divorce and this is a wonderful portrayal of the trials and tribulations of the process. The film's script is just superb at communicating the subject matter with a touching level of insight and sensitivity. For anyone who has been, or is going through a divorce, this film will warm your heart... Because you will realise that you are not alone.

[@chrissennfelder7249]

Sometimes, it's just nice to enjoy competent actors doing their job. That's why I love this movie so much.

[@freddybeer]

I thought the movie was phenomenal! Charming, engaging and devastating. Those performances! Man! I had no idea Adam Driver was THAT good! Bought the incredible Criterion Blu-ray day one of release. A wonderful film!

[@targetecho27]

so mark, what do you actually think about the film? (id love to know)

[@VanDeVenDerVaart]

I watched this after breaking up with my then girlfriend and my heart broke all over again. Poignant, beautiful and very funny.

[@shirleymcdonald2777]

Love you mark

[@simonjenkin]

genuinely think this'll be the year scarlett gets a best actress oscar. renee zellwegger was great in judy, and saoirse will undoubtedly get a nod for little women - those two will be her biggest competition, for sure. but something just tells me scarjo will get it for this movie

[@ChowDownDetroit]

Who would divorce Scarlet Johansson?

[@mohammednoor5589]

Ryan Reynolds

[@zenden6564]

Ans: Watch her on Oprah admitting she was a total bitch to Ryan Reynolds...

[@GiantSandles]

Looks great, shame the nearest cinema to me that's showing it is on a uni campus in Sheffield

[@tomdwyer3803]

That's a great cinema! support the students they're doing good work

[@GiantSandles]

@@tomdwyer3803 It was more about it being 2 hours away from me than it being a student cinema

[@nikitamohan3390]

@@GiantSandles It's coming on Netflix on December 6. Just watch it in the comfort of your home as many times as you.want to

[@Warnerchild]

it says december 6 on my netflix - y so early

[@GiantSandles]

They're showing it in some cinemas now, mostly in London though

[@fairypoo]

Cinema released now then Netflix in a few weeks

[@PeterAJWoods]

Don't give up on this film (movie). We did after some ten minutes a couple of months ago but just decided to try again. It isn't trite as I thought but very well documented and thought provoking as well as being appealing due to dashes of fun and yes, the stupidity of married life. Marriage is often a battle with ceasefire ruling for those who like peace with a loving partner.

[@The3rdGunman]

Netflix's content > Disney +

[@jr4isawsome]

Next time could you make the review shorter? I almost accidentally received an opinion.

[@Bailey2006a]

Kramer vs Kramer puts this to shame...Hoffman. Streep, Jane Aleander...you just cannot top that acting fire power.

[@jeffhext]

Who's Alan Alder?

[@MrTaitors]

Jeff Hext Alan Alda but older

[@stefaniate]

@@MrTaitors LOL !

[@mindfuldrone]

@@MrTaitors Nice one

[@dougo891]

Acting was great but the movie told me exactly why marriage and children were not in the cards for moi!!

[@TomRipley7350]

Nice plot summary, Mark. Where's the review?

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film’s terrifically acted, terrifically written, terrifically directed, stylish & is A very realistic drama film. (90%) (4.5/5 stars) (positive)

[@michaelmuldowney8]

I hoped the characters would reunite = that way there would be only two unhappy people, and not four. And the kid was obnoxious, who would want to be stuck with him.

[@dejanrakic77]

bad movie for me but you must watch and find it for yourself(maybe you like it)

[@detectivejimmymcnulty1676]

Adam Driver totally deserves the best actor Oscar. As a matter of fact I think it’s a better performance than Caysey Affleck in Manchester By the Sea and I think it’s the best male performance since Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood. He definitely deserves this over Joaquin who isn’t even the best joker of all time.

[@telephilia]

Probably a good film, but the East Coast - West Coast thing is a bit trite by now.

[@mindfuldrone]

Where else would you believe in civilised behavior in the United States?

[@tatehildyard5332]

Yeah, but I consider it as just a surface level backdrop for the larger conflict. In the marriage, Nicole has always been the one to compromise and put her feelings by the wayside for Charlie. Hell, I think the movie even calls out Charlie a little bit for buying into the petty “NY vs LA” thing.

[@bertfromseasamestreet]

Woo

[@adamkallin5160]

Scarlett is a great actress. Hope she starts getting more cred not just for her looks.

[@mindfuldrone]

@Daisy Dan Yeah. Olivia Coleman is a stunner, isn't she?

[@mjm5081]

Looks?!...What looks?!!! 😉

[@stuartburnett351]

Phoenix isn’t the best joker? Strange

[@Petergonzaleztv]

That goes to heath ledger sorry

[@victorsinclair188]

Best line: "Am I paying for this joke?"

[@Achwurd]

except, PLOT TWIST: this movie was hot garbage

[@RS-kt6bo]

This comment section is full of Reylos and Punch drunk Adam Driver fans. Your opinions don't really matter because all of us normal people know you'd adore anything he does. If this were a horrible movie(like the Star Wars sequel trilogy), you'd still love it. This was a great film, don't get me wrong. Just pointing out the obvious.

[@Petergonzaleztv]

loved the script and acting , but is the movie shot like hot ass or is it just me?

[@rezasadeghi945]

Am I the only one that found these characters completely unrealistic and inconsistent. Completely change based on what point the director is trying to make.

[@nidhavellir]

The idea that they still cared for each other, yet willingly engaged in a vicious dispute, is totally implausible and seemed engineered to draw tears.

[@rezasadeghi945]

@@nidhavellir exactly! Cheap tears.

[@kimwexler9393]

Yes.

[@humanrays]

The more I think about this movie the more it bugs me. Like the part about how dressing well for a man equals dressing like a mannequin in a generic clothes shop. There's nothing wrong with dressing like that but it's certainly not the epitome of male fashion. And in 2019 is it really a big deal if a man vaguely knows his way around a kitchen? The husband's ability to prepare a meal without his wife was talked about as it were an accomplishment. Those parts came off as really self-insert-y. Especially at the end where you discover the husband's replacement is a huge dork. It seemed like the function of that was to make us see just how cool, interesting, and not-dorky the husband was in comparison. I also found it incredibly tacky when the husband talked about having the opportunity to have sex with other people but not doing it as if it were a great sacrifice/proof of his "virtue." That's just a basic requirement of a monogamous relationship.

[@jonesalex565]

Are all Netflix films....crap? They don't require to make money at the box office. So they aren't any good.

[@stephenrochester6309]

Great acting in this film but I found it absolutely tiring. A long (and I mean LONG) legal battle between a couple of assholes, who wants to watch that? Ironically will have to consider divorcing my wife for recommending this to me. I jest, of course.

[@Bigbaz86]

Awful muck.