In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, actress Greta Gerwig voiced disappointment that her critically acclaimed turn in Greenberg opposite Ben Stiller, was not the big break everyone expected it to be. While she remained the darling of American independent cinema, her reputation outside of that world had stalled. If there’s any justice, her latest collaboration with her director/boyfriend Noah Baumbach, will succeed where Greenberg failed. Her performance in Frances Ha is whip smart with an irresistibly soft centre that cuts through Baumbach’s tendency towards smug cynicism.
Gerwig stars as Frances, an apprentice dancer struggling to make ends meet in New York. Despite the fact that her career has stalled, Frances remains upbeat and enjoys living in the city with her best friend Sophie (Mickey Sumner). Unfortunately for Frances, Sophie is moving up in the world and with more money and a new relationship blooming, she decides to move into a more affluent neighbourhood. Frances is left behind, unable to afford rent on her own. Without her best friend, she couch-surfs across the city as her life becomes more and more shambolic.
The fact that this is a black and white comedy set in New York (a city that looks ravishing in monochrome even on a shoe string budget), has brought immediate comparison with the work of Woody Allen. Like Allen’s best work, Frances Ha is very funny, truthful and touching; but ultimately it has its own unique brand of charm. Crucially, while Allen’s work views women as exotic, unfathomable creatures, Frances is an earthy delight. Awkward, self-involved and in her own words, “not a real person yet” she has a wide-eyed openness that is utterly charming.
Frances’ relationship with Sophie meanwhile, feels utterly realistic – one of those easy, intimate friendships that dominate our early adulthood and are forced to bend and sometimes break as we get older. This is beautifully sketched out in the first section of the film – the daily routines, in-jokes, physical closeness and occasional spats with each other are portrayed with a natural warmth by Gerwig and Sumner.
That’s not to say that Frances Ha is just for the girls. The overarching sentiment of the film that not everyone has their life together by the time they reach their late twenties will chime with many people. A very funny and charming delight.