VENICE, Italy (AP) – Scarlett Johansson shared that when director Noah Baumbach invited her to discuss a new film centered on divorce, he was unaware of her ongoing separation at the time. “It felt fated in a way,” she reflected. “It came somehow at just the right time.”
In “Marriage Story,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and is vying for the Golden Lion award, Johansson stars opposite Adam Driver.
The film follows a couple—Johansson as an actress and Driver as a theater director—navigating a bi-coastal separation and divorce while co-parenting their 8-year-old son.
Johansson drew upon her personal experiences, having divorced French businessman Romain Dauriac in 2017, but emphasized that the film resonates with broader relationship truths.
Baumbach crafted the screenplay specifically for Johansson and Driver, noting that through their story of separation, he aimed to reveal deeper insights into marriage. “Although they’re coming apart, love always exists,” he explained. “It’s in every scene; it’s there.”
Laura Dern, who plays Johansson’s divorce lawyer, remarked that the film accurately portrays “the business of divorce.”
A particularly intense scene showcasing a heated argument between the lead characters has garnered significant attention at the festival.
Driver admitted that he didn’t analyze the scene in depth after filming but acknowledged that it was emotionally challenging.
Baumbach described the experience as “harrowing,” recalling that the cast often needed breaks during filming, regrouping by retreating to their rooms or walking around the block.
“They would run the whole scene almost every time. It was like watching two of the best athletes compete,” Baumbach reflected, adding that directing the film was one of the most fulfilling experiences of his career.
Following its Venice debut, “Marriage Story” will screen at the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals before its theatrical release on November 6, with a Netflix premiere set for December 6.
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