Two weeks ago, acclaimed director Noah Baumbach’s Frances Ha was released as part of the Criterion Collection.  Frances Halladay (Greta Gerwig) is drifting through her life in New York, living with various roommates and struggling to make ends meet through her apprenticeship at a dance company, while trying to accept the evolving nature of her friendship with Sophie (Mickey Sumner).

As she drifts between apartments and friends, the audience is taken on the engaging journey of her life, as she tries to find her way in the world.  Although the black and white aesthetic recalls the French New Wave and Woody Allen’s classic Manhattan, Frances Ha has a charm that is unique unto itself.  This 2013 film is an entertaining and sharply observed study of modern malaise, carried by a great soundtrack and another excellent performance from Greta Gerwig.

The Blu-ray includes a conversation between Peter Bogdanovich and Noah Baumbach, another with Sarah Polley and Greta Gerwig as well as a discussion about the look of the film.  Along with a regular DVD, also included in the package is a booklet featuring an essay by Annie Baker.

Frances Ha is 86 minutes and rated 14A.

-John C.