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| Gerwig (r) and Sumner (l) are wonderful together. |
Directed by Noah Baumbach
Produced by Noah Baumbach, Scott Rudin, Lila Yacoub, Rodrigo Teixeira
Written by Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig
Starring Greta Gerwig and Mickey Sumner
****
Frances (Gerwig) is a mess. She bounces from job to job and apartment to apartment. She can't stay in most relationships, except for her close best friend. She dreams of becoming a full-time dancer, but she can't make it happen. Her friend Sophie (Sumner) is there through most of Frances' setbacks, despite their problems, but her fickleness really holds her back. Her life isn't meshing with her dreams, but she keeps pursuing a dance career, even when it leads to embarrassing results. Can she turn it around? Can she get her life together and accomplish her dreams?
Noah Baumbach's latest is easily his finest outing since his Oscar-nominated film The Squid and the Whale. Greta Gerwig gives her best performance here, playing the quirky Frances with a playful authenticity and unkempt panache. However, Mickey Sumner is also brilliant as Sophie. The black-and-white cinematography feels appropriate, both in terms of storytelling and self-awareness. With deadpan humor and interesting, neurotic characters, it channels the best of Woody Allen, and it even has a nice "Modern Love" homage to Leos Carax's Mauvais Sang. The film is a trim 86 minutes, packed with laughs and great chemistry between Gerwig and Sumner. It's an indie darling that's worthy of such a moniker, and it's one of my favorite films of the year.
Oscar Potential: Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay
OMG!!! So glad you loved this! The more I think about the film, the deeper in love I fall!
ReplyDeleteYes!! I love this movie!
DeleteGood review Josh. One of those very rare movies that made me happy and pleased with the life I live know, but even more excited for what's ahead of me. Didn't expect this from a Noam Baumbach movie, but glad I got it anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan. I need to pick up a copy of this.
DeleteThis is easily one of the best films I've seen this year though I'm counting it as a 2012 film as it's in my top 5 best films of 2012. I hope it gets some recognition from the Academy as I think it's Noah Baumbach's best work so far.
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't do a ballot in January or February, I'd go with the original release date as well. Glad it's in your top 5 of 2012. It's in my top 5 of 2013. I don't think it will get any Oscar traction, but I hope I'm wrong.
DeleteBeen hearing all kinds of good things about this film. I haven't seen any film of Noah Baumbach nor Greta Gerwig so this shall be the first!
ReplyDeleteOoh, good choice for a first then, Ruth. Hope you get to see it soon!
DeleteI'm with Fisti, the more I think about this film, the more I like it too. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's firmly in my top 5 of the year, and I really don't see it getting bumped lower.
DeleteI'm gonna try to see it this week, heard a lot of great things about it. On the other hand I also saw comments like 'I want to murder the characters in this movie' :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, I can understand that. Of course, Woody Allen films could get a similar reaction.
DeleteFrances Ha seems like it glided under the radar this year, so I'm constantly telling people to see it! It's so charming and has such an amazing score!! I'm glad you enjoyed it as well! #Undateable is my forever hashtag.
ReplyDeleteIt just kind of went away after the early praise, but hopefully it will still garner some notice from critics' awards. I love that hashtag!
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