Noah Baumbach’s film about divorce, the ironically titled Marriage Story, is a Best Picture contender for, among other things, ringing with the clarity of truth. It cuts open a vein for its writer-director and bleeds all over the screen. This may become a little awkward for some movie-lovers when they realize that Adam Driver is a surrogate for Baumbach himself, making Scarlett Johansson something of a stand-in for his ex-spouse, Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Most critics have applauded Marriage Story for its attempt at balance. V.F.’s Richard Lawson even suggested the film may be Baumbach’s “act of self-reflection, maybe even atonement.” But it’s still his movie, so JJL stans might, understandably, be worried.
According to Baumbach there’s no need to worry. His ex-wife and mother of his first child has seen the movie and likes it, according to comments in the Wall Street Journal. “She watched it in the cutting room and sent a photo of herself crying after the opening montage,” he told the paper.
That montage is a dizzying summation of “the good years” between Driver and Johansson’s characters, with voice over narration explaining why the pair fell in love and what they mean to one another.
Baumbach also revealed that Leigh read the Marriage Story screenplay. “She likes it a lot,” he said, summarizing her view.
While it is heartwarming to see that there appears to be no animosity between the two, those who have seen the film may find it a tad ironic that we’re hearing about Leigh’s opinions from Baumbach. A recurring theme in the movie is Driver’s character’s domineering nature, oftentimes making decisions and speaking on behalf of his wife.