9) Frances Ha
Noah Baumbach is a filmmaker that independent audiences know very well, but mainstream audiences do too even though they might not realize it. He’s written or helped write so many hit films, and his directorial efforts are almost all winners themselves, but it’s his latest project with star Greta Gerwig that had me utterly entranced. Maybe it’s a generational connection, maybe it’s because I currently live in New York and actually see people like Frances, maybe it’s because Greta Gerwig is an absolutely phenomenal actress, but Frances Ha, to me, was a whimsical treat about living life and following your dreams no matter what’s keeping you down.
Sure, I guess some people can be turned off by Frances’ constantly perky sensibilities, but in the way that Gerwig flaunts Frances’ hipster attitude of chasing creative freedom, I found our lead character charming and loveable. She doesn’t just walk the streets, she runs around them like a happy little elf brightening people’s day with a smile. No apartment? No job? Not making headway on her dreams? She looks towards the comfort of family, shares more joy, and dives right back into her zero prospects to keep trucking. I’m all for dark, gritty, realistic cinema, but I’m also a fan of the optimistic underdog. Frances is a perfectly wonderful character to root for, and her journey is quite inspiring for those wide-eyed grads ready to tackle the big apple with zero direction.
This has independent cinema written all over it, right down to the black and white filming, so it’s definitely going to be an acquired taste – but what isn’t’? Frances Ha promotes happiness and all that’s good in life, even if it seems like there’s nothing going on. I think we can all use a little dose of sunshine via the dazzling Greta Gerwig, no?
Francese Ha is available on DVD and Blu-Ray right now.
