Monday, June 10, 2013

Frances Ha

At first glance, Frances Ha is a carbon copy of Girls, HBO’s divisive show that is currently changing the television medium. And, seeing as I’m a huge fan of Lena Dunham’s show, my initial instinct upon watching Frances Ha was to be bored. I’ve seen hip little indie retellings of a young woman lost in a big city. The kind of girl who doesn’t have a shred of accountability for anything, can’t save a penny to save her life, can’t maintain relationships, can’t find a permanent place to live, and on and on.

But then I got to thinking: Frances Ha isn’t fashionably recycling Girls (or anything else, for that matter) – it’s simply complimenting it. Dunham has cited Baumbach as a major influence over her style, and Frances Ha is clear evidence as to why. Baumbach isn’t a recycler, he’s a pioneer.

The opening sequence of Frances Ha is more fun than anything Baumbach has ever put on screen. Through lush, digital black and white photography, rapid Godard-style editing, and playful acting, we learn everything we need to know about Frances (Greta Gerwig) and her best friend/roommate Sophie (Mickey Sumner). They go to parties, sleep in the same bed, eat the same food, wrestle in the park, share cigarettes on their fire escape, sip from the same bottles of beers – as Frances mentions several times, her and Sophie are the same person, just with different color hair. So, essentially, Frances Ha begins when Sophie leaves.
After meeting a rich, preppy boy (perfectly named “Patch”) Sophie moves out, thereby taking away Frances’ crutch. Unable to afford her apartment solo, Frances moves in with some friends, then moves again when the rent is too high, then moves again, and so on. Frances drinks too much, earns too little and has a whiny excuse for everything. Note: If you aren’t interested in hearing a 27-year-old girl complain about everything in her life for 85 minutes, then do stay away.

Me? I dig Baumbach’s self-deprecating tone; he has a verbal style all his own, and American independent film is better for it. He also knows how to craft material perfectly suited for his actors. All of Baumbach’s films feature characters in emotional disarray, and Gerwig’s turn as Frances deserves to be ranked with the best. Gerwig, who has been dating the much older Baumbach for nearly two years, is an actress of specific range, and Baumbach knows how to push all of her buttons seamlessly.

In addition to Gerwig, Sumner’s work as Sophie is a real standout. Sophie’s the kind of deadpan, monotone hip chick who, unless backed into a corner, shows little emotion. There are a handful of scenes in which Gerwig pushes Sumner into such a corner, and these scenes prove to be the most emotionally raw of the film. Upon researching Sumner (an actress I previously knew nothing about) I’ve learned that she is the daughter of singer Sting, and, more importantly, looks absolutely nothing like Sophie. An interesting transformation, one I hope to see more of in her future roles.
As a film, Frances Ha ranks in the middle of Baumbach’s brief filmography. It has the wit of The Squid and the Whale, the melancholy of Margot at the Wedding and the notion of failed youth so evident in Kicking and Screaming. For fans of Baumbach’s deliberate style, Frances Ha is a welcome delight (especially if you were as turned off by his last film, Greenberg, as much as I was).

There’s a scene midway through Frances Ha that encapsulates why I value Noah Bambauch so much. In the scene, Frances and her new roommate debate what to do with their day. He proposes going to a movie, but Frances says she shouldn’t, noting how expensive movies are now.

“Yeah, but it’s the movies,” the roommate replies.

Exactly. B+

34 comments:

  1. "And, seeing as I’m a huge fan of Lena Dunham’s show"

    You like watching Miss Piggy have sex? Ewwwww.

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    1. Really? You just typed that? That genuinely makes me sad for you.

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    2. Miss Piggy is from The Muppets, created by Jim Henson, not Lena Dunham. You seem very confused.

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  2. I'm really looking forward to seeing this film as I am a fan of Noah Baumbach's work (except for Highball which I just saw earlier today as my review will be released in 2 days). I like the show Girls though I didn't like the season finale nor did I buy Hannah's anxiety issues.

    The trailer for this film won me over as it featured David Bowie's "Modern Love" which is one of my favorite songs from my childhood.

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    1. I think you'll enjoy this film. Bowie's tracks are used so well in it... really a great match up of song and film.

      Look forward to your Highball review.

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  3. "Dunham has cited Baumbach as a major influence over her style, and Frances Ha is clear evidence as to why. Baumbach isn’t a recycler, he’s a pioneer."

    And irrespective of how the Dunham/Baumbach relationship plays out on the screen, Baumbach reminded the TIFF audience who thought he'd been inspired by Girls that Frances Ha wrapped up production before the first season of Girls was aired. He had many kind words to say about Dunham's show though.

    Anyway, glad you liked the film. It is my #2 of 2012 and I'm so excited to see my favorite writers respond positively to it.

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    1. You know, while I was watching Frances Ha, I started doing the production math in my head. And I came to the conclusion that it was possible that Frances Ha wrapped before Girls aired. Glad to hear that's the case. It really just comes down to people viewing the world in a similar fashion, which is perfectly okay.

      "To see my favorite writers respond positively to it." ... I'm one of your favorite writers? Damn man, that was really kind of you to say!

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    2. And number one favorite listmaker on top of that :p

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    3. I will concur with the above statements!

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    4. Wow, thanks guys. You made my day!

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  4. Soooo excited to see this. I love Baumbach's filmography (even Greenberg and Margot). This one seems like one of his more universally praised efforts, so I'm fairly confident I'll come out on the other side quite pleased.

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    1. Hey John, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.

      If you're a Baumbach fan, I really think you're going to enjoy this one. It has all of the best characteristics of a great Baumbach film.

      Will be on the look out for your review on John Likes Movies!

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  5. As someone who is not a huge fan of Baumbach's writing, I thought this was just a lovely little film. While I think TSaTW has it's merits (Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney), I've always found the overall tone to just sound overly pretentious and I just thought Greenberg was extremely annoying (being the only two previous films of Baumbach I had seen prior to this one), both were problems I had when I watched Lena Dunham's Tiny Furniture, but I thought this was so pleasant. Gerwig is the actress who I think translates his writing the best imo. It doesn't sound so pretentious to me when she says it, it sounds the way a slightly arty, young adult might actually speak. Best Baumbach film I've seen thus far.

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    1. Nice man, that's so cool that you enjoyed this one. I do agree that the mumblecore movement carries with it some challenging work. It often teeters right on the edge of pretention and profound. I frankly thought Greenberg went to far. I found it boring and self indulgent, but many disagree. Either way, Frances Ha is just delightful. Or lovely, as you called it. Lovely feels right.

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    2. I'm not sure if I hate the mumblecore movement yet (I haven't seen too many films from it yet), but from what I've seen I have been somewhat irritated by them. Is Rachel Getting Married a mumblecore film? I liked that one a lot! I also really like Gerwig, I think she's really talented at not making some of this dialog sound irritating and pretentious, it sounds cute and quirky. I thought she was the only good thing in Greenberg.

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    3. I'm not sure I would consider Rachel Getting Married a mumblecore film, but defining it can be tricky. Anyway, I agree that Gerwig was the best thing about Greenberg. That one really didn't work for me.

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  6. Nice review Alex. Not sure if and when this is hitting over here (it may have just been at small cinemas, not sure), but I'll be keeping an eye out for it. Sounds pretty interesting.

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    1. Thanks man! Hope you have a chance to see it. If you're a Baumbach fan, I know you'll dig it.

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  7. I'm very excited for this film, but I'm trying to keep my expectations down. For me, Baumbach has been up and down. I liked The Squid and the Whale, was disappointed with Margot at the Wedding, and liked Greenberg. (I haven't seen his early work yet.) I hope I like this film as well.

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    1. I'm right there with you, while I'm a Baumbach fan, I'm not always the biggest admirer of his films. I actually like Margot the best... dunno why, but that one has always worked for me.

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  8. I actually like to watch Girls. Well my initial instinct of it was, 'Oh those confusion in the 20s! And all that drama. Maybe I should stop watching.' But I keep on watching because they were pretty real and raw, no matter how whiny they appeared. But I don't know about Frances Ha, it seems interesting enough to see the storytelling and the cinematography. I've seen Lola Versus where Gerwig did that whiny 20s girl in big city, and I didn't like it. But, thanks for sharing, I might check this one up.

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    1. Well, I think I have some good news for you. I love Girls and I too did not like Lola Versus. Now, I don't know if that means you'll like Frances Ha, but we seem to have similar tastes here, so that's a start!

      Let me know if you ever check it out!

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  9. Have been told this one is good and your review confirms it! Will definitely check it out.

    Also, you've been really churning through the posts man! Really admire your hard work and dedication!

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    1. Thanks dude, that means a lot!

      Look forward to your review of this one.

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  10. The scene where she's running and dancing through the street to "Modern Love" is one of my favorite scenes in quite some time. Really enjoyed this one, but it doesn't top The Squid and The Whale for me. Eisenberg and Daniels just kill those lines in it. So perfectly dark.

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    1. Yeah that was a highlight for the film for me. Complete bliss.

      Margot is actually still my favorite. I love how melancholic that film is.

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  11. Absolutely loved this one, easily beating out Before Midnight as my favourite narrative film of the year. Greta Gerwig is so likeable, I genuinely can't think of a character I've wanted to succeed more in a film that her. I really liked Greenberg, The Squid and the Whale and Kicking & Screaming, but its undeniable that those films focussed on characters who were bitter and unsympathetic, especially Daniels in TS&TW and Stiller in Greenberg, and it was nice to see him switch it up with one of the most endearing characters ever. I loved the whole look of the film as well, it worked perfectly in black and white and proudly wears its Woody Allen and French New Wave influences on its sleeve. The film is always going to end up being compared to Girls, but with Girls I just wanted to hit every character in the face by the end of the second season, whereas in Frances Ha I had the largest smile on my face throughout the film and all the loose ends were tied up so well.

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    1. Awesome comment! Your enthusiasm for this little flick just shines through, and that's great.

      I agree that Frances maybe be the most pleasant main character Baumbach has ever captured, and Gerwig just killed it. It's funny to think that this movie was shot with the same camera that I shot my flick Earrings with. I love how major directors are embracing new, cheaper technology.

      Curious: what's your favorite documentary of the year so far?

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    2. Blood Brother, the film that won the Grand Jury and Audience award for documentary. I'm not sure when it's release date is, but I'm sure HBO or PBS will pick it up soon and distribute it. It was truly a life changing experience watching that film which really changed my perspective on life and humanity. It feels kind of unfair to rank other films of the year with it because they have no chance of being as emotionally affecting as Blood Brother was for me.

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    3. Holy shit, I need to see that movie ASAP. Someone better damn well pick it up.

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  12. Kicking and Screaming, Mr. Jealousy, The Squid and the Whale, Margot at the Wedding, Greenberg, Frances Ha and While We're Young. What grades do you give to his films?

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    1. Kicking and Screaming: C+ (final scene gets an A)
      Mr. Jealousy: haven't seen it
      The Squid and the Whale: A
      Margot at the Wedding: A-
      Greenberg: D+ (only saw it once though)
      Frances Ha: B+
      While We're Young: haven't seen it yet

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    2. I first saw Greenberg and...it looked nice. After that I said 'lets try again, okey'. And I saw Margot at the Wedding and Frances Ha, and I love them both. After that I saw The Squid and the Whale and lets just say it would make my top 10 of the year very high. It fantastic, funny and sad. Jeff Daniels gives his best performance.

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    3. I rewatched Greenberg last week and I'd now give it a B. The older I've gotten, the better I'm able to identify with those characters. I quite liked it. I'd also give Kicking and Screaming a B now too.

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