Ben-Ha

Frances Ha was co-written by director Noah Baumbach and actress Greta Gerwig, and stars Gerwig as a lively and somewhat socially inept single dancer trying to survive in New York City. Doesn't that just sound like the cutest little romantic comedy?

YEAH WELL YOU'RE WRONG SO SIT DOWN

Frances Ha is about the absurdity of conformity, and the lengths the individual will go to in order to fit in. Frances Ha is about the silly little moments that make us feel stupid, and embarrassed, and weird, and how those moments are what make up our lives. Frances Ha is about Frances Halladay, a uniquely spirited woman, who refuses to accept the notion that life is supposed to be sad and tedious.

This movie is somewhere around and hour and twenty-five minutes long, and it's worth every bit of time it'll take to watch. I didn't expect to feel the way I felt when the film was over. I was uplifted, I was optimistic, I was excited for the future, no matter what it would hold for me. I felt like for anyone who truly cares about me, for anyone who considers me a friend, that simply being me was enough.

People try so goddamn hard. Me included. Me especially if I'm being honest. The expectations we feel to be certain things shape our behaviors in such extreme ways, some people reach the ends of their lives feeling as though they were never allowed to be themselves, and that is a tragic thing. Frances Ha is about the importance of embracing the little things that make you yourself, and that's why I think it's so important. Important enough to rave about here, anyways.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen the classic single millennial living in New York who can never seem to catch a break. It is a story I've seen told many a time. Frances Ha is not that story. Sure, the character of Frances encounters a near constant barrage of personal hardships, and yes the movie deals with a lot of that. But the character of Frances is so positive, so resilient, and so real, you never for a second feel as though you're being preached to. This isn't that kind of uplifting tale.

As intelligent as this film is, it never talks down to its audience. It talks TO it's audience. Frances is no more talented or intelligent than any person watching this movie. She is just trying to live, and furthermore, she is trying live free of the burden of caring what other people think of her. And that's a struggle I think we can call put ourselves into a bit.

She feels like a character, for sure, and I don't mean that as a negative. Yes the dialogue is incredibly naturalistic, and yes Frances and her friends feel like people that could and probably do exist, but at the same time, Frances is memorable because she can be quoted, and her demeanor can be cited and recognized. She has such a unique personality, and her outlook is so strange and admirable, she feels like she could be a real figure of modern pop culture. Jules Winnfield, T.E Lawrence (yeah I know he was a real guy), Norman Bates, Tyler Durden, Buffalo Bill, these are characters. These are people who will stand the test of time because they exude notability. They are easy to remember. I think Frances shares that quality, or would if more people knew about her.

It's not for EVERYONE, but no movie is. This film knows the kind of audience it will attract, and rather than rehashing or recycling ideas from other more popular indie ventures, it delivers an experience unique enough to bring out the hopeless idealist in even the most jaded of hipsters.

Gerwig's performance is phenomenal, she injects a vitality into the character that I'm convinced not many other actresses could, and I have to believe that is in part owed to her co-writing of the script. Adam Driver plays a supporting role, and as always he's fantastic to watch. Mickey Summer, who plays the best friend and occasional reality checker to Frances' naive, Skywalker-ish protagonist, is quite amazing. Her character is the kind of friend who often finds herself playing the adult in the relationship, even when she doesn't want to. Grace Gummer brings a sharp wit and harsh quality to her character, who is hard to pin down as either friend or foe to Frances. And Baumbach's direction is sensitive and subtle, even when the camera is forced to keep up with the bouncy joy of the film's lead.

I'm writing about this movie because I want people to know it exists, and I realize most don't. It's on Netflix and it is so so short, I implore you to give it a try. I'd have to look back at the competition, but in my mind it's probably the best soundtrack of 2012, by the way.

I don't care what mood you're in, if you're happy, seeing Frances dance about like the free spirit that she is will only reaffirm you in your happiness, and if you're unhappy, you won't be for long, because it's impossible when watching this movie.

Watch it, tell your friends about it, and make sure to check out more of Baumbach's work, as well as Gerwig's.

Thanks for reading. Stay classy, my friends.