Mistress America

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: August 14, 2015

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 99 Ratings

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cinemaquoteNov 22, 2015

this movie is so unpleasant. its woody allen meets wes anderson without research or point. characters are stagy, artificial, they even talk in rhythm pauses. everything that brought me to other baumbach is missing but the clichés. terrible onthis movie is so unpleasant. its woody allen meets wes anderson without research or point. characters are stagy, artificial, they even talk in rhythm pauses. everything that brought me to other baumbach is missing but the clichés. terrible on gerwig, the only stance might be the young kirke if she outgrows typecasting. terrible, indeed.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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MLucilleSAug 27, 2015

I thought about leaving while the film was in progress. Not funny. Not quality drama. The only person we found sympathetic was the lead character's downstairs neighbor, who appeared briefly and said almost nothing. Thank you! Did notI thought about leaving while the film was in progress. Not funny. Not quality drama. The only person we found sympathetic was the lead character's downstairs neighbor, who appeared briefly and said almost nothing. Thank you! Did not find much of anything engaging about the main characters; it was unpleasant to have to watch and listen to them try to "find themselves." This was not worth making a movie over. Very disappointing.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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wrongcharlieSep 3, 2015

This film is poor, having enjoyed Frances Ha I was expecting great things but sadly no. How it has received such positive reviews is a mystery. I was very close to leaving halfway through but with the knowledge that it was less than 90minsThis film is poor, having enjoyed Frances Ha I was expecting great things but sadly no. How it has received such positive reviews is a mystery. I was very close to leaving halfway through but with the knowledge that it was less than 90mins long I stayed, that it isnt overly long is its main quality. The characters are unlikable or at best elicit indifference. The acting and interactions are unbelievable. At times I couldnt work out whether the intention of the acting & dialogue was to create some sort of homage of a farce stage show. What ever the intention the end result is a mess, fairly annoying and rarely funny. Avoid… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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arfflAug 14, 2015

I've generally liked Noah Baumbach's films, and, having read the reviews of this one, I was looking forward to enjoying it. For the most part, however, I didn't. Although the principal actors work very hard, and it does have a fewI've generally liked Noah Baumbach's films, and, having read the reviews of this one, I was looking forward to enjoying it. For the most part, however, I didn't. Although the principal actors work very hard, and it does have a few compelling moments, it's mostly a self-conscious, disjointed mess, particularly after the first 30 minutes. Unfortunately, it fails both as a comedy and as a drama, while flailing about in a desperate attempt to be both.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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jhepSep 4, 2015

Notes for Noah.......No. Rethink it......If you are going to do "Harold and Maude" or "Auntie Mame" you have to DO them !.....In life there are 'Solutions' and there are "Solutionnatas Della Luchai" and you must strive to keep that in mind.Notes for Noah.......No. Rethink it......If you are going to do "Harold and Maude" or "Auntie Mame" you have to DO them !.....In life there are 'Solutions' and there are "Solutionnatas Della Luchai" and you must strive to keep that in mind. .....(The world does not need another "Waiting For Godot".)… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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GreatMartinSep 9, 2015

Have you ever sat through a movie asking yourself, “Why am I watching this?” Has an 86 minute movie seemed like 6 hours without any of the embellishments of being an epic film? I know the answer to the first question as I always hope theHave you ever sat through a movie asking yourself, “Why am I watching this?” Has an 86 minute movie seemed like 6 hours without any of the embellishments of being an epic film? I know the answer to the first question as I always hope the movie will redeem itself before it is over. “Mistress America” doesn’t do that!

With a screenplay by Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig that seems to use every word they know and saying nothing plus being directed by Baumback and starring Gerwig this seems to be a hate letter to New York. It shows New Yorkers as aimless, not knowing anything, being full of hot air, ideas that don’t go anywhere unless stolen and even the crazies aren’t individuals.

The story is simple, with a ridiculous setup, of 18 year old Tracy (Lola Kirke) seeking out her 30 year old sister-to-be Brooke (Greta Gerwig)--the former’s mother is going to marry the latter’s father--having come to New York to attend college to become a writer after finding out it wasn’t the way she thought it would be and is lonely. (If you think that is a long sentence you will go bonkers hearing some of the talk in the movie!)

Brooke is the do it all girl from running a spin class to being an interior decorator and many jobs in-between. Her latest project is to open “Mom’s” a combination restaurant, hair salon, convenience store, cooking classes, exercise center and more, basically being a community center, and a home away from home.

Naïve Tracy is taken over by city-wise Brooke who never really finishes a project and is jealous of those who do like all those around her. Tracy wants to be a writer so you should know where this is going, if it ever gets there.

The only one who made an impression on me from this (too large) cast was Lola Kirke who comes across more grounded than the others, seems more natural and is the only one with an arc that shows growth. Considering that Gerwig is a co-writer of the film it is surprising how negative, destructive and lethal the women are towards each other. Though she is a beautiful woman most of the lines either she or Baumbach put in Brooke’s mouth make her an ugly person.

“Mistress America” is all over the place, neither here nor there, and really doesn’t say anything with all its rapid, spit it out, get it said helter-skelter lines.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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