Scenes from a Marriage

This remake of Scenes from a Marriage is a hauntingly intimate portrayal of a relationship falling apart, brought to life by the incredible performances of Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. Their chemistry and ability to tap into the frailties of their characters make every scene feel unsettlingly real. The decision to reverse the gender roles is executed seamlessly, adding depth to the story while maintaining the series’ central focus on the complexities of love and commitment. From the opening episode, the tone is intensely raw, with little to no music to soften the tension. When music is used, it’s subtle and serves to deepen the emotion of the moment, but for the most part, the series lets silence and painful conversations do the talking.
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Scenes from a Marriage explores the lives of Mira (Jessica Chastain) and Jonathan (Oscar Isaac) who appear, at first, to be a stable, successful couple, but as cracks emerge, the series explores themes of love, betrayal, regret, and reconciliation. This adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s 1973 Swedish classic reverses the original’s gender roles, updating the story for a contemporary audience while staying true to its raw, unfiltered examination of marriage.

The plot is unhurried, which may feel slow for some viewers, but this pace allows each character’s decisions, regrets, and conflicts to unravel in an organic, almost uncomfortable way. Isaac and Chastain’s nuanced performances breathe life into these flawed, impulsive, and at times self-destructive characters. The series doesn’t sugarcoat or rationalise their mistakes; instead, it lets us witness the imperfections and complexities of their personalities. At times, the characters lack the strength to make the “right” choices, and they act out of impulse or fear. These layers of human behaviour are what make the series compelling, as you may find yourself switching sympathies from one character to the other with each episode.
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While Scenes from a Marriage is successful in its authenticity, it doesn’t provide the kind of light relief that many dramas do, and its relentless focus on the intricacies of a crumbling relationship won’t appeal to everyone. Watching the series is akin to eavesdropping on a painful breakup—a viewing experience that may even cause some to reconsider marriage or question their own relationships. It’s a daring choice by the show to avoid clean resolutions or explanations for every decision, reminding us that real life often lacks tidy endings.
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The decision to start each episode with behind-the-scenes shots of the set, actors, and Covid precautions is jarring. These moments break the immersive quality and could detract from the story’s emotional impact. While they may serve as a reminder of the series’ artifice, they feel unnecessary in a show where the emotional weight alone is enough to convey its themes.