Mini Review – Frances Ha

Frances Ha

Mercifully Short Review by Jonathan Empson

Frances (Greta Gerwig, also the co-writer) shares a New York apartment and pursues her dream of becoming a dancer. Bearing in mind Gerwig’s awkward physicality, it’s no surprise to discover that her dream is fading. But she stays chipper, despite having no Plan B for her life, nor a Plan Boyfriend to fund her.

This has been described as a quarter-life crisis film, which is pretty apt. It’s also been accurately described as a Noah Baumbach film (he’s the director and co-writer), so expect the meandering plot and affectionate studies of flawed humans that have characterised his previous releases.

It’s a little slow but watchable thanks to the appealing Gerwig. Interestingly, you soon forget you’re watching a black-and-white film. (Which also happens in 3D films sometimes, so you wonder why you paid the premium.) (Sorry, you don’t pay less to see a black-and-white film, by the way.) 6/10

Released August 15, 2013.

Jonathan Empson is currently writing an eight-part TV series called Dangerously Smart for Palm Beach Pictures.
Jonathan’s TV pilot script Chrome was nominated for an AWGIE in 2010, and his feature script Leonardo’s War reached the top 30 of the 2012 Nicholl Fellowships competition.

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