Do you love talking about Films? Are you trying to watch more films in English?
Thinking in English will host the monthly Film Club: Premiere
at 18:00 (UTC) on Wednesday 29th January!
Join us to discuss…. Marriage Story!
You can find more details on how to participate on Patreon and Discord!
Film Club – Marraige Story – Conversation Questions –
Useful Resources – Vocabulary – Example Answers
What is the Thinking in English Film Club?
The Film Club is a great opportunity for Thinking in English Patreon members to practice their conversational English by discussing a film with other members.
Members meet every week on Wednesdays at 6pm UK Time to discuss Films and TV. Most weeks there is no specific topic and you do not have to watch or prepare anything before joining. It’s just a free chat about films!
However at the end of each month we have a special Film Club: Premiere where we discuss one specific film. Earlier in the month, members have voted for what film they want to discuss and just like in the normal Conversation Clubs we will provide 10 questions about the film to help to inspire you.
You can find these (and some other useful resources) below…
For our next Film Club: Premiere on Wednesday 29th November, we will be discussing Marriage Story (2019). This film is a realistic portrayal of of a couple and their young son as they go through a divorce.
Marriage Story (2019)
What is Marriage Story?
Here is a movie description for Marriage Story
Marriage Story (2019) is a small, realistic film that helps us understand and sympathize with a couple going through a divorce in modern-day America.
Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) want their separation to be simple and friendly. They hope to avoid causing extra stress for their young son.
However, as the divorce progresses, problems arise, and old resentments between them come to the surface. Things become worse when they hire lawyers, who make the process more cruel and combative. At the same time, the lawyers become essential for Nicole and Charlie, who feel they have no choice but to keep using them.
The film shows the pain of a marriage ending and asks if a peaceful divorce is really possible. While the lawyers seem greedy and aggressive, the story makes us wonder if they are truly to blame for what happened.
The acting is excellent and helps us feel the deep emotions and frustrations of the characters. Laura Dern, who plays one of the lawyers, even won an Oscar for her role!
But what about you? Did this film make you think differently about marriage or divorce? Do you have any personal experiences with divorce or family law? And if not, how did this story make you feel? Would you have done anything differently from the characters?
Join us for the Film Club Premiere on 29th November to share your thoughts!
Conversation Questions and Talking Points!
- Which character did you feel more sympathy for—Nicole or Charlie? Why?
- What was your favorite scene in the film? Why did it stand out to you?
- Do you think the lawyers in the film helped or made things worse? Why?
- How did the film make you feel? Was it more sad, hopeful, or something else?
- What did you think of the acting? Did any performance feel especially powerful or emotional?
- The film focuses on small, everyday details in the characters’ lives. Did this make the story feel more realistic to you?
- The film shows both Nicole’s and Charlie’s perspectives. How does this help us understand their situation?
- The lawyers in the film are very aggressive, but Nicole and Charlie feel they need them. Do you think the legal system is to blame for making divorces so difficult?
- How does the film show the challenges of communication in relationships? Can you relate to this?
- What lessons, if any, do you think people can learn from this film about relationships?
And finally, how would you describe the film to someone who has never seen it before? Would you recommend it? Why?
Do you have any more thoughts or questions? Why not prepare 1 or 2 more of your own questions or opinions about the film?!
Useful Resources
To help you prepare for the Film Club, you might want to look at the following useful online resources:
IMDb Page
IMDb page where you can find everything about the film including: Videos, Characters, Cast and Crew, Plot Synopsis, Quotes, Reviews and more!
5 Minute YouTube Analysis
Popular YouTube film reviewer Chris Stuckman gives his opinion on Marriage Story
Film review from Empire
Empire is a popular British Film magazine. This is their five-star review of Marriage Story written by Terri White.
Vocabulary
Marriage Story Vocabulary
Learn and practice vocabulary for this Conversation Club!.
Practice using 5 different study games and activities – including writing, listening, and memorisation techniques!
Flashcards
Matching Game
Learning Game
Test Yourself
Listening and Spelling
General Film Vocabulary
Learn and practice vocabulary for this Thinking in English Conversation Club.
Practice using 5 different study games and activities – including writing, listening, and memorisation techniques!
Flashcards
Matching Game
Learning Game
Test Yourself
Listening and Spelling
Example Answers
4. How did the film make you feel? Was it more sad, hopeful, or something else?
B1 Example Answer
B2 Example Answer
C1 Example Answer
See you all at the Film Club!
