When at film festivals, I often don’t get a chance to watch a whole lot of films. What I do get to watch mostly depends on what is available when the opportunity presents itself or what is playing at the theater I’m running. I may not always see the movies that get a lot of the attention but I usually end up catching an interesting assortment of memorable films. These are some of my favorites from this last film festival season.
FRANCES HA
Frances Ha is directed by Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Margot at the Wedding) and stars Greta Gerwig as Frances, a twentysomething New Yorker whose dreams may not exactly be coming true but she gets by with an irresistible lightness of spirit. In one way, it is yet another film about someone of that age group trying figure things out but Gerwig, who started out as a supporting actress in a series of mumblecore films and played opposite Ben Stiler in Baumbachs’ Greenberg, gives a charismatic and kinetic performance that makes the film. It is not only her best performance yet but she co-wrote the screenplay as well. The film is often reminiscent of some of Woody Allen at his best and it demonstrates just how influential of a filmmaker he really is. It is shot in beautiful, high contrast black and white (again calling to mind Woody Allen). Frances Ha is an endearing and funny film about growing up and finding your way and about friendship and hope.