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Marriage Story

Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta co-star.

 Noah Baumbach directed--Squid and the Whale; Margot at the Wedding

 I liked both of those, especially Margot, but this not so much.  Main flaw: way too long.  It's really a divorce story.  Charlie (Driver) is hot=shot theatre director in NYC. Nicole (SJ) is actress who gains stature with his group, but was known before for a teenage romp (filmed in LA) in which she appears topless.  They have one child.  So, it's Charlie's hotshot career vs. Nicole's supporting actress career.  NYC vs. Los Angeles.  Sort of in the middle is their child, but he seems oddly passive, goes with the flow.

 Three or four arguments about whether or not Charlie promised to spend time in LA or not.  Three or four arguments about whether Charlie respects Nicole's ambitions and talent.  

 Movie is well over two hours.  At ninety minutes or so, it would have been much better

 Big, screaming fight in Charlie's apt (he punches wall) ends with Charlie sobbing.  This long fight really looked like a bid for an academy award to me.  Similarly, Charlie sings "Being Alive" at a bar after divorce goes through (cue the tears) and Scarlett does an entertaining little song and dance at a party for her child (see--she's really talented).  

 Laura Dern and Ray Liotta were great as nasty divorce lawyers.  Alda had bit part as divorce lawyer who gets fired. Court scenes were completely unrealistic

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