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Frances Ha (2012)

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1:53 | Trailer
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
Reviews
Popularity
2,281 ( 254)
Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 47 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greta Gerwig ... Frances
Mickey Sumner ... Sophie
Michael Esper ... Dan
Adam Driver ... Lev
Michael Zegen ... Benji
Charlotte d'Amboise Charlotte d'Amboise ... Colleen
Grace Gummer ... Rachel
Daiva Deupree 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 Christine Gerwig ... Mom
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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. Written by IFC Films

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Certificate:

M/12 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #681. See more »

Quotes

Frances: I'm so embarrassed. I'm not a real person yet.
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Connections

References Saturday Night Live (1975) See more »

Soundtracks

Les Bicyclettes
Written and Performed by Georges Delerue
Administered by EMI Music Publishing France
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User Reviews

 
Frances Ha- A Disarmingly Sweet and Perceptively Witty Reflection on Mid-Twenties Malaise from Auteur Noah Baumbach
16 May 2013 | by generationfilmSee all my reviews

Auteur filmmaker Noah Baumbach has specialized throughout his career in humorlessly reflecting on the various purgatories in our lives, or rather those lost years of stasis where the unknowns of life's supposed plans hit the unknowns within ourselves head on. His study of post-collegiate malaise in Kicking and Screaming was the genesis of his uniquely quirky vision—a blend of Whit Stillman's observationally verbose wit and Woody Allen's hilarious yet humanist portraits—that has carried on to other notable character studies he's penned, such as the dysfunctional family drama The Squid and the Whale and the mid-life crisis comedy Greenberg. It was clear in the most sincere moments of the film Greenberg that Baumbach had a creative chemistry with one of its stars Greta Gerwig which has resulted in a new collaborative effort between them to create Baumbach's latest poignantly comedic film entitled Frances Ha, an energetically funny yet undeniably relatable contemplation on the aloof mid-twenties condition. Utilizing crisp black & white cinematography capturing the naturalistic backdrops of New York City, Sacramento, and Paris, Frances Ha possesses an alluring charm mostly through Greta Gerwig's charismatic performance but also in the film's embodiment of French New Wave revivalism that allows substance to shine in even the most monotonous of human interactions. This short and sweet tale on the ambiguity of adult life highlights the changing nature of responsibility, friendship, and love with a surprisingly modest and heartfelt genuineness rarely experienced in film. Though it might have some minor similarities to Lena Dunham's HBO show "Girls" there is no denying that Frances Ha is distinctly Baumbach in character design, cinematic style, and written cleverness. Protagonist Frances proclaims that she "loves things that appear as mistakes" which on its face is the eloquent sentiment that summarizes the film's genuine depiction of mid-twenties paralysis in the face of responsibility. Frances Ha ranks highly in Noah Baumbach's worthwhile filmography because it is probably his most accessible, authentically charming, and least pretentious film all thanks to the screen writing aid and engaging performance from Greta Gerwig.


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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook | Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Release Date:

17 October 2013 (Portugal) See more »

Also Known As:

Frances Ha See more »

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA See more »

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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$137,398, 19 May 2013

Gross USA:

$4,069,826

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,013,161
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »

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