[Quick Summary: After Nicole, an actress moves to LA and files for divorce, Charlie juggles seeing their son in LA and running a NYC theater company.]
TWO THOUGHTS:
1) This is a tight, well written script by a writer who knew what he wanted to say.
2) I liked the scene below. It shows us how to use a minor character to the fullest.
First, notice the mere introduction of an unknown character increases the
stakes and tension. Who is this new guy? Why does he rattle Nora? For better or worse?
Second, this particular minor character is external evidence of an internal change, i.e., new attorney signals a change in Charlie's strategy.
Notes:
-Nicole is divorcing Charlie. Her attorney is Nora.
-Charlie's easy going attorney is Bert. His new attorney is Jay Marotta.
-Nora is briefing Nicole before going into the courtroom.
ex. INT. LOS ANGELES COURTHOUSE, HALLWAY. MORNING
...NORA: I made sure the date of separation came AFTER the pilot pick-up to protect that money -- (suddenly) Fuck me.
NICOLE: What?
She follows Nora's gaze to Jay Marotta who marches down the hallway, conferring with Charlie.
JAY MAROTTA: It's not television. It's not a wise judge played by a great character actor. These are just people open to manipulation like anyone else. You think it's justice, but it's not.
NICOLE: Who is that?
NORA: Charlie shouldn't have done this.
NICOLE: What do you mean? Where's Bert?
NORA: It means everything we've agreed upon is now off the table.
Jay and Charlie take a bench a ways away. Jay says Hi to some other lawyers.
NICOLE: But we've got LA, right --
NORA: Not with Jay Marotta representing him. This is a street fight now. And I'm going to have to ask for things we wouldn't normally ask for. We'll need as much leverage as possible to negotiate with.
Nora rises with a pinched smile --
NORA: This system rewards bad behavior.
--and greets Jay.
Nicole looks over at Charlie who doesn't meet her eye.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I thought that this was a very elegant, non-flashy way to ratchet up the intensity.
Marriage Story (2019)
Written and directed by Noah Baumbach
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