Graphic by Trinity Kendrick ‘21
BY TISHYA KHANNA ‘23
Noah Baumbach’s Oscar-nominated “Marriage Story” presents a radical and honest approach to marital separation. Starring the brilliant Scarlett Johansson as Nicole Barber and Adam Driver as Charlie Barber, the film portrays, as Baumbach puts it, the “story of a marriage through a divorce.”
The separation is initiated by Nicole, who, as we learn through the story’s progression, feels suffocated in her marriage. Over the years, she has given up on her desires, instead living a life that Charlie has largely designed for them after actively ignoring her wishes and cheating on her. Nicole has reached her tipping point.
As Nicole is discovering herself again, she moves to Los Angeles, California for a job as an actress in a television pilot, following aspirations to be a director. A defining scene is when she meets and makes out with a man at a party and exclaims, “I’m changing my whole f***ing life!”
Soon, the divorce becomes a tale of two cities. Charlie is adamant about living in New York — “But we’re a New York family,” he says at one point — and Nicole feels more at home in LA.
The film takes a refreshing feminist approach, fostered by Nicole’s self-realization and her lawyer Nora’s (Laura Dern) support. Nora’s bold presence in the movie gives Nicole the strength to tell her story honestly and finally stand up for herself.
What “Marriage Story” also highlights is that it is just as difficult to initiating separation as it is to be the one separated from. It is easy to see the other person through the lens of a victim when the choice to end something that was once so important to a person takes every ounce of strength they have. Nicole’s decision shows her transition — she is finally standing up for herself and moving out of a marriage in which she had little sense of identity and appreciation.
However, Charlie isn’t demonized. He is, despite their complicated relationship, a devoted father and a loving husband. And yet, Nicole’s decision to leave is completely valid, even though she loves him. Charlie’s casually dominating presence hasn’t given her the required space to explore herself, and she takes responsibility for not putting herself first.
Speaking to Nora, she says, “I never really came alive for myself. I was only feeding his aliveness.”
The fight scene, unencumbered by the presence of their lawyers, summarizes the divorce. It portrays the raw pent-up anger, the resentment, the love and the calm friendship that comes after, highlighting perfectly that, despite their problems, the Barbers still love each other, perhaps if in a new way.
Alongside the dialogue of the divorce is the evocative narrative of their marriage. They are both passionate characters, each dynamic and competitive. Their connection, friendship and love are evident — which makes the separation all the more painful to watch.
Regardless of the pain, there is a looming sense of inevitability toward the movie’s end. Nicole and Charlie might love each other, but their marriage simply doesn’t work anymore.
The film ends with a positive outlook for Nicole and her son, Henry. The last scene shows her tenderly tying Charlie’s shoelaces before he leaves for his time with Henry — the perfect representation of the radical, honest remains of love after a separation.