Frances Ha (2012)

A New York woman (who doesn't really have an apartment) apprentices for a dance company (though she's not really a dancer) and throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as the possibility of realizing them dwindles.

Director:

Noah Baumbach

Writers:

Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig

Stars:

Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 48 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greta Gerwig	...	Frances
Mickey Sumner	...	Sophie
Michael Esper	...	Dan
Adam Driver	...	Lev
Michael Zegen	...	Benji
Charlotte d'Amboise	...	Colleen
Grace Gummer	...	Rachel
Daiva Deupree	...	Waitress
Isabelle McNally	...	Random Girl #1
Vanessa Ray	...	Random Girl #2
Justine Lupe	...	Nessa
Lindsay Burdge	...	Dark Haired Girl
Patrick Heusinger	...	Patch
Marina Squerciati	...	Waitress at Club
Christine Gerwig	...	Mom

Storyline

Frances lives in New York, but she doesn't really have an apartment. Frances is an apprentice for a dance company, but she's not really a dancer. Frances has a best friend named Sophie, but they aren't really speaking anymore. Frances throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles. Frances wants so much more than she has but lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness.

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Plot Keywords:

best friend | father daughter relationship | mother daughter relationship | mumblecore | f rated | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual references and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Swiss censorship certificate # 1009.516.

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Quotes

Frances: It's that thing when you're with someone, and you love them and they know it, and they love you and you know it... but it's a party... and you're both talking to other people, and you're laughing and shining... and you look across the room and catch each other's eyes... but - but not because you're possessive, or it's precisely sexual... but because... that is your person in this life. And it's funny and sad, but only because this life will end, and it's this secret world that exists right ...

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Connections

References Saturday Night Live (1975)

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Soundtracks

Mrs. Butter's Lament
Written by Harry Nilsson, Bob Segarini
Performed by Harry Nilsson
Courtesy of Sony Records
By arrangement with Unichappell Music, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. o/b/o Golden Syrup Music

User Reviews

Eccentric and funny

Bring out the adjectives--charming, quirky, funny, gentle. The cast is good, but Gerwig is terrific as the hapless dancer. She's likeable and pathetic at the same time. Everyone knows she is going to have a problem making it as a dancer, except her. This is her version of planning: she thinks about 10 minutes ahead. A sudden trip to Paris--but only 2 days, and then credit card debt. She doesn't seem to have a moment of fun there.

Poor Frances. She lurches from one moment to another, trying to figure out what life is and rarely succeeding. The journey is full of fun and laughter, though--well, at least for viewers. But eventually, the worm turns. Let's avoid spoilers and just say things change when Frances Halladay becomes Frances Ha. This is an indie film in the best sense of the genre, small scaled, but well crafted and thought out. Someone mentioned a Woody Allen-esque feel to it--and it does have some of those echoes, but just echoes. You can't dislike Frances. The film's a winner, too. Its wistful, understated feel is irresistible.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Brazil

Language:

English French

Release Date:

23 August 2013 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Frances Ha

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$137,398, 19 May 2013

Gross USA:

$4,069,826

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,058,065

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pine District Pictures, RT Features, Scott Rudin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1