Netflix
Theatre Service: N/A
Projection: 10/10
2 hr 17 mins
This film is carried from beginning to end by it’s performances; Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlet Johansson) were moving, emotionally driven, and somewhat relatable. While Laura Dern, Ray Liotta and Julie Hagerty complimented their drama with quirky and charismatic counterparts. There are moments that leave the viewer speechless with the couple’s unfiltered monologues and nose to nose yelling matches, exposing both fleeting tender moments and loving parenting.
There was a lack of romance, of intimacy, because both the main characters are at a point in their relationship where they are both so closed off and cold. The viewer never sees the moments of happiness, the flashbacks to the time that once was; this is no “500 Days of Summer” (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 2009). The film begins in a marriage counseling scene being lead by the voices of the two leads in voice-over placing the audience in the seat of the councilor in the film, forcing a third party perspective to dissect and over-analyze the relationship on screen. This instantly sets the expectation that the couple is wanting to work civilly together and perhaps a potential for reconciliation, a set-up similar to “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (Doug Liman, 2005). The film leads the audience on with a set-up in those opening monologues that is constantly danced around throughout the film.
The plot follows a couple who is contemplating divorce showing a somewhat real and raw representation of what a young couple would accurately go through in these circumstances, not shying away from the financial instability of the event. As original as this story is, some of the dialogue scenes are quite strange and off-putting, most notably when characters are introduced and as the main characters are first being explored. All the odd, one-off lines that humans often let slip are included in dialogue scenes with Nicole’s sister, mother, lawyer, and often leaving the writing feel unrevised, or like unconventional improvisation.
Both Charlie and Nicole don’t have much of a story arc, the audience is constantly waiting for a deeper connection between the leads, for them to explore their true feelings with each other, and that payoff never comes. It seems as though the lead characters experience more of a regression than growth by the end of the film. Both Adam Driver and Scarlet Johansson become the people they don’t want to be - cruel, selfish, manipulative, underhanded and neglectful of their child’s future as they both agree to pursue divorce after discussing the negative impact on Henry’s education. The child of 8-years-old was very withdrawn and inverted seeming not to have much of an opinion on the divorce or emotions whatsoever of his parents relationship with minimal questions asked. Perhaps this was all meant to make the family seem more realistic and relatable like the father daughter relationship in “Eighth Grade” (Bo Burnham, 2018), but both parents were so self obsessed this did not strike the same chord.
The film did not feel as if it was two hours long, the editing and pacing of the film was well done and creative. The editing and pace were complimentary to the speed of the scenes, holding on shots to accentuate emotion while using quick splices to intensify emotion and tension. The editing went hand in hand with the performances and the direction, which were all fairly cohesive and created potential for an amazing film.
The story meandered nearing the end featuring multiple musical numbers giving character a chance to reveal their growth, but in a way that only reinforces the fact that people don’t change. Other than those emotionally lacking and tonally inaccurate musical numbers the soundtrack is fairly forgettable. It could have been the fact that I have not experienced parenting, divorce, lawyering-up, or living in the States, but this film was focused more on telling a slice of life story than actually diving into deeper psychology or history of the characters. This is a film that perhaps should be seen once for the performances, but has no need to be re-watched.
>> 5.5/10 <<
Pacing: 6/10
Editing: 7/10
Plot: 4/10
Acting: 9/10
Cinematography: 7.5/10
Re-watch-ability: 1/10
Soundtrack: 5/10