Frances Ha

Name: Frances Ha
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: May 17, 2013
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, Michael Zegen, Mickey Sumner, Patrick Heusinger

2013

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 225 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 225 Ratings

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Frances Ha

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: May 17, 2013 | R

Starring: Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, Michael Zegen, Mickey Sumner, Patrick Heusinger

Summary: This small budget, black-and white-collaboration between writer/director Noah Baumbach and writer/star Greta Gerwig centers on Frances (Gerwig), an apprentice dancer fumbling through post-college life in New York City.

Director: Noah Baumbach

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 86 min

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Critic Reviews

100

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Aug 3, 2013

If films were gestures, this one would be a perfectly timed shrug, with the smile to match. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

May 15, 2013

Above all, Frances Ha is a wry and moving portrait of friendship, highlighting the way that two people who know everything about each other can nevertheless grow apart as their needs change. Read full review

John Anderson

May 16, 2013

Frances Ha also marks the rare instance in which an actress has the perfect role at the perfect time. Ms. Gerwig's work here is fragile, delicate, subject to bruising; something that could wither under too much attention. Perhaps Ms. Gerwig is the greatest actress alive. And maybe Frances Ha is just the ghost orchid of independent cinema. Read full review

Chris Nashawaty

May 15, 2013

Gerwig, who previously starred in Baumbach's "Greenberg," is charmingly awkward. And Sumner (Sting's daughter) is an ace with deadpan one-liners. Read full review

The Guardian Catherine Shoard

Feb 19, 2013

Gerwig's performance is full of depth and nuance; self-conscious without being mawkish, clever behind the kook. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

May 23, 2013

Playful, effervescent comedy. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

May 16, 2013

Aiming for lightness but landing with a thud, Frances Ha is a well-meaning blunder. Director Noah Baumbach’s ode to Brooklyn twentysomething life is a flibbertigibbet fable that, like a self-absorbed flirt you meet at a party, grates on the nerves despite being easy on the eyes. Read full review

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User Reviews

LeZee

Dec 20, 2013

It was my personal favourite of the year. I just can't show how much I
loved this movie but will try my best in this review to explain. It was
just like the movie 'The Pursuit of Happiness' where it describes a person's struggle over professional as well the relationship with a bestIt was my personal favourite of the year. I just can't show how much I
loved this movie but will try my best in this review to explain. It was
just like the movie 'The Pursuit of Happiness' where it describes a
person's struggle over professional as well the relationship with a
best friend. I don't know why this movie was in black and white but
very seductive, like women from Charles Chaplin movies. The expressions
are 'the killer' if you are a man who fall easily for struggling women.
'Ruby Sparks' is my one of the year's favourite which was written by
the lead female of the movie and the same goes to 'Celeste and Jesse
Forever'. I know it is out of topic but I was saying the lead actress
from this movie who played Frances wrote this. All these were women
oriented subjects which rendered the movies from a distinct angle.

Frances is a cute and sarcastic woman in her late 20s lives with a best
friend Sophie in New York city. She is not talented but as a
professional dancer she earns enough to lead a happy life. Once she and
her boyfriend breakup, Sophie too throws an another bomb as she decides
to move out to live with her boyfriend. One after another her battle to
survive in the city for rich remains hopeless. But pursue for her dream
never ends as she wanted to be a fine choreographer. For all these she
must hold back her downs of her life and aim only up to self discover
the meaning of the life. Did she successful or not is what the movie
steadily chronicles her efforts.

The character Frances will be remembered for a long time, especially by
me. I just did not only had a fondness on that character but it
completely transformed me as one. In fact I felt the movie deeply into
me that I regretted for unable to give my support to Frances. I came to
know I am in love with Frances in the scene where she runs on the
streets of Chinatown. I think it is the best scene of the movie, very
adorable. You must watch the movie till the last frame before the end
credits roll up to know the meaning of this strange title. It was a
silly reason to have names like this for a movie but completely cool
and refreshing. It is not a thought provoking or an art movie but
believe me it is definitely a must see movie of the year.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

lismis7000

Jun 8, 2013

Noah Baumbach's latest is actually is best in years. Greta Gerwig is funny and sad sometimes at the same time Francis a women struggling with her career and life in her late twenties. Gerwig co-wrote the screenplay along with Bauback and is one of the best comedic screenplays in alongNoah Baumbach's latest is actually is best in years. Greta Gerwig is funny and sad sometimes at the same time Francis a women struggling with her career and life in her late twenties. Gerwig co-wrote the screenplay along with Bauback and is one of the best comedic screenplays in along time. I have never been a big fan of Gerwing, but that has changed with this movie, Thanks for proving an adult comedy that is for adults… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

johnny_cubert

Dec 16, 2013

Chronically a period of apartment instability of its title character FRANCES HA her late 20s begin relationships tail spin, Golden Globe nominee GRETA GERWIG is a sight to behold you can barely take your eyes off her will it be with Gravity & Blue Jasmine on the Oscar Best Actress list?Chronically a period of apartment instability of its title character FRANCES HA her late 20s begin relationships tail spin, Golden Globe nominee GRETA GERWIG is a sight to behold you can barely take your eyes off her will it be with Gravity & Blue Jasmine on the Oscar Best Actress list? SEE NOW on NETFLICKS... live streaming...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

lasttimeisaw

Feb 10, 2015

My second film of the NYC indie director Noah Baumbach, after his much-acclaimed indie darkhorse THE SQUID AND THE WHALE (2005, 9/10), although his muse has shifted from Jennifer Jason Leigh to the new indie-hotshot Greta Gerwig now, who stars as the titular protagonist and is the co-writerMy second film of the NYC indie director Noah Baumbach, after his much-acclaimed indie darkhorse THE SQUID AND THE WHALE (2005, 9/10), although his muse has shifted from Jennifer Jason Leigh to the new indie-hotshot Greta Gerwig now, who stars as the titular protagonist and is the co-writer of this film.

Shot entirely in Black & White (or more specifically, it is digitally shot first and then transmuted into monochrome to discharge a feeling of nostalgia), the opening montages snappily show audiences the intimate friendship between Frances Ha (Gerwig), a 27-year-old amateur dancer in NYC, and her best friend Sophie (Sumner), and they have been inseparable since college and share an apartment as well. Ten minutes later, Frances flippantly breaks up with her boyfriend Dan (Esper) simply because she cannot accept Dan’s proposal of living together in his place as she still prefers to live with Sophie.

keep reading my review on my blog, google: cinema omnivore, thanks… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

geewah

Jan 15, 2021

An ode to being young and free in New York that falls flat.
I like Baumbach's style, but I'm not sure what's to be gained by filming this in black & white.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Lyn

Feb 2, 2014

"Frances Ha" is like an episode of "Girls" in which the girls suddenly, thankfully, are not annoying nymphomaniacs. Greta Gerwig is endearing, with her difficulty facing life's realities (and her bad hair). But she can't make up for the fact that F's aimless missteps are not that"Frances Ha" is like an episode of "Girls" in which the girls suddenly, thankfully, are not annoying nymphomaniacs. Greta Gerwig is endearing, with her difficulty facing life's realities (and her bad hair). But she can't make up for the fact that F's aimless missteps are not that entertaining. Also, the intense passion between the two girlfriends -- continual mini traumas, constant I love yous -- just seemed odd & ridiculous. Really, really liked Noah B's other films, but found this one blah.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

dierregi

Aug 26, 2014

Frances is an "apprentice" dancer - which is hard to believe since she is very ungainly. Apart from "dancing" she never worked a real job in her life. Frances shares an apartment with BFF Sophie, in a sort of a "celibate" lesbian relationship (at least, from Frances' side).

Both girlsFrances is an "apprentice" dancer - which is hard to believe since she is very ungainly. Apart from "dancing" she never worked a real job in her life. Frances shares an apartment with BFF Sophie, in a sort of a "celibate" lesbian relationship (at least, from Frances' side).

Both girls have boyfriends, but Frances has no problem with dispassionately dumping hers, when he proposes she moves in with him. Unfortunately for Frances, Sophie actually moves in with her man, Patch. Frances, feeling hurt and betrayed (more strong lesbian vibes) cannot pay rent and moves in with another couple of slackers. Then she gets "temporarily" sacked from the dance company she works for and "sort of" runs out of money.

This does not stop her from flying to Paris for a weekend and from refusing a job as a "mere" accountant, which would not fulfil her artistic delusions. She meets with Sophie and Patch and comes to terms with them getting married. In the end, Frances accepts the "normal" job and moves into her own apartment, while maintaining her status as "undateable".

Shot in black & white, by director Baunbach, the movie tries and fails miserably to look like a mix of French nouvelle vague (specifically Jules & Jim) and early Woody Allen (specifically Manhattan).

Gerwig plays Frances as a lethargic young woman, lacking elegance and discipline, which presumably are needed for such a competitive and physical profession. Sophie is played by one of Sting's children and one of Streep's daughters plays another dancer, completing the cast of VIPs. Neither shines, but I guess being mediocre actresses will not hurt their careers.

Baumbach and Gerwig were (still are? Really don't care) a couple during the filming. Actress/director relationships usually produce mediocre movies, and this is just another one to add to the list.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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