In Noah Baumbach s new Netflix film Marriage Story , former couple Nicole and Charlie want to go the consciously uncoupling route with their divorce. They hire a mediator at first, one who asks them to enumerate the things they love about each other, then read their lists aloud.

That doesnt work out, but they stick to their peace agreement. Well figure this out, Charlie, portrayed by Adam Driver , naively says early on in the film. We want the same things.

At least they seem to, until their divorce attorneys enter the picture. Nicole (played by Scarlett Johansson ) hires Nora, a tough-as-nails divorce attorney portrayed by Laura Dern wearing her Renata Klein best. Charlie hires a more mild-mannered lawyer played by Alan Alda at first, but to keep up, he eventually enlists the help of an equally aggressive lawyer portrayed by Ray Liotta .

Things turn ugly, fast. In court, the drama reaches a fever pitch when Derns character brings up Charlies extramarital affairs (affair, singular Charlie corrects her). Liottas attorney relishes the chance to get dirty and hits back by mentioning Nicoles marital and parenting sins: snooping through Charlies emails, for one, and an overindulgence on mommy juice in the evenings.

The scene and the lead-up is fascinating in its ugliness. You watch it all unfold through gritted teeth. Wow, you inevitably think, Jennifer Jason Leighs divorce attorney mustve done a hell of a number on Noah Baumbach.

Given our reaction, we couldnt help but wonder what divorce attorneys thought. So once they had a chance to watch, we asked four high-profile family law attorneys to weigh in on a few questions: Did those courtroom scenes ring true? What did the movie get wrong about divorce? And Jesus, are you really as terrible as the movie suggests?

Heres what they had to say.