Review: Sad, Honest, and Rewarding 'Marriage Story' Earns Its Prompt Criterion Collection Release

Noah Baumbach's "Marriage Story" - one of last year's finest releases - follows Charlie and Nicole, a couple navigating a coast-to-coast divorce and custody battle that brings to surface their worst qualities while also probing what made them fall in love with one another in the first place.

The film opens with two voiceover vignettes, wherein both characters (embodied through career-making performances by Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson) explain what they love about their spouse. It then cuts to the office of a separation mediator where it's clear the love has evaporated in many senses, prompting the beginning of the end for this particular relationship. The mediator reminds both Charlie and Nicole that despite their breaking apart, they must keep in mind the things that brought them together and the deep love they felt, and may still feel in many ways, for each other.

And that's what "Marriage Story" is ultimately about: Love and all its messy imperfections. These elements are placed under the microscope in Baumbach's transparently reflective screenplay, and highlighted even more so through his insightful direction. Throughout the film, the audience is consistently provided with evidence that backs up Charlie and Nicole's affection for one another while simultaneously witnessing the elements that are tearing that connection apart. Baumbach doesn't choose sides, but rather presents both parties as being wholly justified in their own arguments and uncertainties about the marriage, all while showcasing the flaws, insecurities, and acts of selfishness that have driven a wedge between them. It's irrevocably sad and painstakingly honest, resulting in some of Baumbach's richest and most rewarding storytelling.

Following the "Roma," "Marriage Story" is the latest Netflix-released film to receive a Criterion Collection release on Blu-ray. This is fantastic for collectors and people who value physical media over the zeroes and ones of streaming technology. And Baumbach's film is certainly one to hold on to.

This is a fantastic release as well, featuring a wide array of bonus features and unique packaging that includes copies of the individual, handwritten notes that Charlie and Nicole write one another in the film. All the supplemental material includes:

� New interview with Baumbach
� "The Players," a new program featuring interviews with actors Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Julie Hagerty, and Ray Liotta
� "The Filmmakers," a new program about the production of the film, featuring interviews with Baumbach, editor Jennifer Lame, production designer Jade Healy, costume designer Mark Bridges, and producer David Heyman
� "The Making of 'Marriage Story," a new program featuring behind-the-scenes footage
� New interviews with composer Randy Newman and Baumbach about the film's score
� New program featuring Baumbach walking the viewer through a key location from the film
� Notes on the film by novelist Linn Ullmann

"Marriage Story"
Criterion Collection Blu-ray
$31.96
www.criterion.com/films/30554-marriage-story