He built his reputation writing and directing willfully uncomfortable family dramas like The Squid and the Whale and Margot at the Wedding. She came to fame through a string of mumblecore movies like Hannah Takes the Stairs and Nights and Weekends, in which she played a quirky dream girl. As contemporary luminaries in independent cinema, Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig were destined to collaborate. And they did in 2010, joining forces for the gawky manchild-centered comedy Greenberg.
Critical acclaim for both followed, and urged the two to co-write Frances Ha, a black-and-white comedy in which she stars and he directs. The film has played at such prestigious film festivals as Telluride, Toronto, New York, and Berlin. And as it readies for it theatrical release, IFC Films is unveiling a peak into what Frances Ha has in store with this short but sharp clip:
Set in New York City, Frances Ha centers on Frances (Gerwig), a young woman with vague dreams of greatness and no idea how to achieve them. Described as a modern fable, this comedy aims to explore New York, friendship, class, ambition, failure, and redemption through the misadventures of Frances and her similarly flawed friends. Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver and Michael Zegen co-star.
Sadly, I missed Frances Ha when it played at NYFF, but the buzz brewing about this witty indie was excellent. I'm genuinely looking forward to Gerwig and Baumbach's latest collaboration. Here's hoping that Gerwig's attempt to write for herself will make me forget her last film, the detestable and dull Lola Versus.
Frances Ha opens in limited release on May 17th.
