MARRIAGE STORY (2019) Netflix Review

What do we make of Marriage Story?

Charlie and Nicole, a well-to-do New York couple find themselves engrossed in a vicious legal battle over their innocent child during what should be an amicable divorce. They are both successful in their shared field. They met and worked together in the same theater in New York. Yet, out of nowhere, they decide they don't want to be married anymore.

Marriage Story like any part of the real world teaches us that appearances mean nothing. Beneath the surface of this small family festers many unaddressed issues that could easily be fixed with simple communication.

In a single attempt to work through their issues, Nicole swears at the counselor, walks out of the meeting, and moves to LA on the promise of returning. Until she serves him divorce papers at the advice of a lawyer she hired behind his back even though she promised she wouldn't. After her lawyer takes over the situation, the divorce quickly spirals out of control. Thousands, closer to hundreds of thousands, of dollars, is wasted over the cowardice of a selfish mother.

Consequences of that cowardice ensue. Charlie is forced to hire his own ruthless lawyer. Before they know it, both of them are sitting quietly in a courtroom while these two lawyers get into a pissing match with each other. Much to their mortification, their dirty laundry is laid out to a courtroom filled with strangers. All because Nicole couldn't be honest with her husband as she is with her friends and colleagues. Her coworkers learn more about her feelings than Charlie ever did.

Because she opens up to the wrong people, she falls victim to the emotional manipulation and distorted history of a woman who annihilates her husband in court. Expensive lawyer Nora drains the assets of both parties in legal fees so much that Nicole's parents go into debt and Charlies shut down his theater. The only remaining asset for the couple over which to battle is Henry, their neglected, unhappy son.

What does Henry want? Who stops to ask Henry what he wants? His wishes fall on deaf ears. All the child wants is a normal, stable life with both parents in the picture. It is a reasonable wish, one I imagine a child of divorce wants. I know I did.

None of it is necessary. None of it should ever be necessary. Had the both sat down and committed to honest communication, their story would have turned out very differently. All Nichole needs to do is cooperate in their counseling session. Instead, they allowed heartless outside influences to prey on their emotions and wallets.

The legal system is broken. It does little favors for families. Don't let the law dictate the happiness of your family.