Review of Frances Ha (2013) by Prodigy2013 — 07 Nov 2013

I’ve been dying to see this for a while; and Noah Baumbach’s infectious ‘Frances Ha’, bubbles with pizzazz. This is a witty character study about Frances Frances Halladay (Greta Gerwig), a 27-year-old dancer who lives with her best friend Sophie.

When Sophie decides to move out, leaving Frances low and dry, Frances is forced to figure out how to live her life. Not to take things too personally, but as 20-something year-old I can’t help but relate with some of the difficulties faced by the titular character and that struggle to get started on life.

While this is clearly a Noah Baumbach film, I think equal credit should be given to star and co-scribe Greta Gerwig. Her contribution to the indie-film realm these past few years have been felt and her presence here couldn’t be any stronger.

The shear level of wit, sincerity and (most of all) charisma that she brings to her character was truly something special; and should not be taken lightly. Drawing from the French New Wave and Woody Allen (mainly during the 70’s) Baumbach crafts a deliciously stylized film that tells the story in an utterly unique fashion.

The black and white cinematography does so well at setting the bleak tones that comes with a quarter-life crises, and I could listen to the soundtrack all day long. Sometimes funny and sometimes heartbreaking; I’m really hoping this gem doesn't go unnoticed by year end.

The film has such an appeal and deserves all the attention in the world.