Frances Ha
It seems a staple to film in black and white in an achingly poetic indie manner. Did The Artist trigger something? Not only did Joss Wheddon strip away colour for his epic Much Ado About Nothing, but Noah Baumbach does with this little ditty of a movie, Frances Ha.
Written and staring Greta Gerwig, Frances Ha is about a late twenties Frances and her ups and downs in New York City. Living in New York with her best friend, Sophie, Frances is content with her simple and close life, even after a break up However, when Sophie announces that she is leaving to move in with another friend, Frances world is turned upside down. Causing her to reassess her life, Frances realises that she hasn’t much and doesn’t do much. The modern dancer soon flits through the city and a series of moments, ever optimistic at what little she has on the place just hoping to reap the rewards of her positivity. This is a stylish yet affectionate piece.
Frances Ha is a beautiful and warming movie that feels for its characters. Set idealistically on the outskirts of New York life and culture, Frances Ha could really fall into cliché hipster characters that a more caricatures. Put thanks to a refreshing partnership between writer Gerwig and director Baumbach, Frances Ha is delightful. Our leading lady Frances is a “glass half full” girl despite the fact most of her glasses are empty. As she struggles to keep her head a float and connected to the city, as well as earning money, Frances is a wonderfully unique spirit who is constantly on the edge. Her determination is much her detriment; the more she tries to connect is the more it slips out of her fingers.
With not much going for her, it could be very easy to slip in a romance to “give her meaning”. But even with her non sexual relationship with the similarly impoverished Levi and Benji, it is Frances alone that has to earn the validation of her self. The best relationship Frances has is with Sophie and the only time Frances is wounded is when that female “bromance” is in trouble. It is a stunningly realistic portrayal of a woman getting her life together and on track despite society’s views against her.
Frances Ha has some bittersweet moments; a solo trip to Paris is particularly vexing as it mirrors just how lonely Frances’ life has become. But this movie is never bogged down by overplayed emotions. Some may find this movie tiresome but it is definitely refreshing. Baumbach keeps the narrative as troubled yet breezy as Frances. And she is a character that most can relate to. Immature yet trying, Frances Ha is a warming portrayal of those on the outskirts of their life attempting to reach stability. Poignant and endearing, Frances Ha is a brilliantly written, acted and directed indie flick.
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