Scarlett Johansson’s most popular role to date remains that of Natasha Romanoff. After her much-loved introduction in Iron Man 2 opposite Robert Downey Jr., Black Window became a mainstay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leading to the actress bagging nine different appearances in total for the franchise.

Such was the popularity of her character that she even got a stand-alone movie in 2021. The Johansson-led superhero movie, titled Black Widow, grossed $379 million worldwide.

Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2
However, when it comes to leaving critics and fans alike stunned with solely her acting prowess, the 38-year-old’s portrayal of Nicole Barber in Marriage Story sits at the summit.

How Marriage Story Director Reacted to Scarlett Johansson’s Gut-Wrenching Performance

Scarlett Johansson starred opposite Adam Driver to transform Noah Baumbach‘s script about a marriage breaking up and a family staying together into a compassionate and detailed feature film that leaves viewers contemplating different emotions after seeing a New York-based couple go through the most challenging phase of their relationship.

Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig.
The movie, both written and directed by Baumbach, was honored with six Oscar nominations in 2020, with Laura Dern winning the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. Johansson was also nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category but missed out to Renée Zellweger.

However, Johansson’s performance alongside Driver in one of the scenes in Marriage Story was so brilliant and intense that it left her director feeling uneasy. During the Directors Roundtable for The Hollywood Reporter, Baumbach revealed:

“There were scenes in Marriage Story where I actually had to stop and take walks around the block and shake it off in a way that I haven’t had to before.”
A maiden Oscar trophy for a two-time nominee would’ve been brilliant, but being part of something so gut-wrenching that even impacted her director is in itself a great achievement.

 

Director Admits Scene Involving Scarlett Johansson Was the Most Difficult Scene He Has Ever Shot

Marriage Story does a great job of capturing how different conflicts in a relationship slowly melt the bond of emotional connection despite individuals doing their best to stretch the length of their shared journey by compromising and keeping things to themselves at different stages.

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Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story.
In the movie, Charlie and Nicole also struggle to properly communicate, and when things reach the boiling point, a climactic fight scene occurs. Recalling his experience of capturing the moment, Baumbach told EW:
 “They’re trying to figure out what they believe anymore. And that’s a dangerous place, I think, for a couple to find themselves. It was the most difficult scene I’ve ever shot in a movie. But also the most rewarding.”
The brilliant scene was shot over two days, and it’s the first time Johansson and Driver’s characters find themselves alone together. The seemingly empty room works as a perfect platform for the two to unload their emotional baggage without any filter or distraction.

 

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, EW