Classic Review: Frances Ha (2012)

Don’t be surprised if you come across tweets proclaiming Great Gerwig has championed the female experience as we near the release of Barbie. And that is true. Lady Bird, Little Women, Nights and Weekends all have female characters, front and center. And Noah Baumbach is a master at conjuring drama and emotions through dialogue. So, it is no wonder that when these two come together with Frances Ha, the story of a young, 27-year-old dancer trying to make it in New York City, it becomes a unique experiential slice-of-life story capturing the essence of growing up.

Growing up is hard. Frances Halladay (Gerwig) is an aspiring dancer/choreographer who has yet to figure it all out. From a career perspective, she does not have a permanent place in her dance company. Frances does not have a concrete plan for her future, and it can feel like she is sometimes just winging it, going with the flow of life. Similarly, she also suffered on the relationship front. Her best friend abandons her, she keeps changing apartments because she cannot afford the rent, and she makes a few rash decisions that set her back financially. These uncertainties and constant instability in almost all aspects of her life reflect the many struggles of people in their 20s. What is often proclaimed as the most promising time of one’s life becomes a bane in itself.

Meanwhile, one of the highlights of the film was how New York City is so imbued into its overall narrative. The city, as many know, is a safe haven of sorts for artistic types. People move there in hopes of better opportunities, and more professional connections, and chase those childhood dreams through and through. Frances was no different, dreaming of creating a mark for herself in The Big Apple. But, then there are these big city challenges too. Exorbitant rents, superficial personal connections, and feeling like a drop in an ocean. More than anything, New York City became a guiding force that helped Frances grow in her life through her experiences. Also, once one moves to chase their dreams, there is this added external societal pressure to prove one’s self. Nevertheless, Frances weathers it all.

Another highlight of Frances Ha is how it was a black and white film. Baumbach and team are clearly going for a feel of those classic old movies, the era of the French New Wave. It’s not just that it’s black and white, the filmmaking style and direction also evoke the sense of nostalgia from watching older films. That being said, the black and white aspect can be distracting and don’t add much creative value. The story itself is contemporary and would do just fine without being told in black and white. Talking inspiration from other classic films, the film features a scene of Frances running through the New York City streets in a way that pays homage to Leos Carax’s Mauvais Sang. It is one gem of a scene and brilliantly brings out Frances’ feelings.

At the end of the day, Frances Ha is another great addition to films that explore the experience of one’s 20s. With an unwavering focus on a realistic depiction, it is not surprising that many can easily relate to Frances’ dilemmas and journeys. Ultimately, Baumbach and Gerwig have crafted an “actual”-coming-of-age classic.

still courtesy of IFC Films

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