Overview
There’s always something appealing about an underdog story and it seems to be particularly true of the cinematic gem Frances Ha. Larger than life, socially awkward and totally “undateable”, Frances is one of the most loveable characters you’ll meet this year.
Frances is a kind of contemporary anti-hero. It’s not that she’s evil or anything, it’s just that she can’t quite seem to get it together. 28, without a stable job or partner, Frances isn’t exactly living the high life, but she’s having fun.
Drawn to the bright lights of New York City in the hope of realising her dream of becoming a dancer, we meet Frances at a relative highpoint in her life. She’s living in a flat with her best friend Sophie in a happy bubble of parties, rehearsals and play fighting. Eking out a modest existence, Frances finds herself homeless after Sophie decides to move in with her boyfriend Patch. We follow Frances through a series of abodes, each defining a new chapter in her journey.
Frances’ naïve optimism is charming and her happy go lucky attitude makes for a refreshingly upbeat film. You could say it’s a coming of age story, but with a contemporary resonance. It’s a film about now, reflecting the challenges and disappointing truths of living in the big smoke trying to keep your dreams alive.
Greta Gerwig is brilliant as Frances and her performance captures the magic of this story. The alluring black and white provides exactly the right tone for the character driven narrative, making it somehow easier to suspend belief.
Frances Ha is fresh, funny and reassuringly honest. It’s good to know you’re not the only one who hasn’t got it all figured out.
