Disciplines
Film and Media Studies
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This presentation examines the story structure of the Oscar-nominated film, Marriage Story (2019), written and directed by Noah Baumbach. The film captures the dissolution of a marriage, following a couple as they navigate life with their son as their marriage unravels. In this analysis, I study how Baumbach crafts the screenplay to explore both subjective viewpoints in the story so the audience does not pick sides in the divorce. This differs from most single-protagonist divorce stories, where the writer tackles the narrative from one character's point of view, favoring one parent over the other. Marriage Story is a dual-protagonist film, following Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), and this analysis examines the methods Baumbach uses to feature each character's perspective equally throughout. Although the characters exchange harsh words, their role as a good parent is never questioned. Baumbach consistently reminds viewers of the good that was once present in their marriage, allowing the audience to root for both of them despite the inevitable outcome.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Communication & Media
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Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Anna Weinstein
Project Abstract
Included in
Marriage Story Screenplay Analysis
This presentation examines the story structure of the Oscar-nominated film, Marriage Story (2019), written and directed by Noah Baumbach. The film captures the dissolution of a marriage, following a couple as they navigate life with their son as their marriage unravels. In this analysis, I study how Baumbach crafts the screenplay to explore both subjective viewpoints in the story so the audience does not pick sides in the divorce. This differs from most single-protagonist divorce stories, where the writer tackles the narrative from one character's point of view, favoring one parent over the other. Marriage Story is a dual-protagonist film, following Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), and this analysis examines the methods Baumbach uses to feature each character's perspective equally throughout. Although the characters exchange harsh words, their role as a good parent is never questioned. Baumbach consistently reminds viewers of the good that was once present in their marriage, allowing the audience to root for both of them despite the inevitable outcome.