Jeff Lubeck

A film that contains comedy, drama, crime, and conventions of a thriller is a winning combination for Hollywood and its audiences.  Usually any film that attempts to provide all four of these aspects succeeds on some and less so on others.  The vast majority of the films utilizing combinations of these genres – over the past 20 years – have been produced and distributed by franchise brand driven studios.  While proving to be popular, with many even being enjoyable, all by their very nature – are serials devoid of much if any originality.

And then Parasite comes along.  Parasite is Produced, Directed, & Written by Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, Okja).  Parasite is as original and compelling in its story-line as any film I have ever witnessed.  Parasite provides top level comedy, drama, and crime – all wrapped up in a thrilling finish.

Accompanied by terrific performances by each and every Cast Member and superior cinematography, production, music, and film editing Parasite is as good a movie as can be seen in a motion picture theater today.

With Writer Director Noah Baumbach, dysfunction in individuals and families is usually the central theme of his films.  More often than not, the films are a blend of Drama and Comedy with the script being rich, harsh, and nuanced.

The Marriage Story starring Scarlet Johansson and Adam Driver is about a married couple and a family we meet during the early-stages of breaking-up.

In the Marriage Story the couple and son as the main characters are less quirky and arcane than in Baumbach’s earlier offerings. In the Marriage Story the supporting characters are exceptionally dysfunctional and self-serving.  They also fuel and exploit what dysfunction the couple and son possess.

What is clear in the Marriage Story is the couple care for each other.  Two other things are clear. 1. Under certain conditions they could and should  stay together – if only they can better understand what each other is saying and accommodate each others needs in the marriage. 2. There is no chance these people should stay together given where they are in their lives and who is influencing their decisions.

As with almost all of Baumbach’s works, there are scenes and sequences that are truly maddening and frustrating.  Most of the male and female actors Baumbach casts thrive with the material and direction. Scarlet Johansson, Adam Driver, Julie Hagerty, Merritt Weaver, Laura Dern and Ray Liotta in the Marriage Story do as well.

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Jeff’s thoughts and worthless trivia.

The Marriage Story is a tough watch.  In this film, I walked away from it in the middle.  I do not want to say why as it would give away key aspects of the story-line.  I did return after considering that Baumbach’s films while hard to watch always provide insight and context.  This insight and context has proven to be helpful long after the film’s end.

Merritt Weaver (as Jackie) has a small role in the Marriage Story.  Weaver is superb in it. If you watch\rewatch the films Signs, Michael Clayton, Into The Wild, Righteous Kill, Tiny Furniture or Birdman, Merritt Weaver will appear in a supporting role and play the character wonderfully.