Last year I went to see Woody Allen's last film with a friend and we cam out with basically the same realization. For all the indie love Greta Gerwig gets she just can't act. I mean I've seen porn actresses with more range. She's just dreadful. Hooking her up with overrated Noah Baumbach isn't gonna help.
It's not the coffee. It's the bunk.
She does come off quite bland, but her wry comic timing works effectively in Damsels in Distress (2011).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1667307/reference
If you haven't seen it, watch it.
Yes! I saw this movie more or less *just* for her. Damsels was awesome and one of my favorite movies ever.
*Nyan Cat, LGBT Rainbow of Infinity!
It doesn't matter. Hipster douchebags will love this film because it's "indie" regardless of the fact it's utter tripe.
Well, you're probably correct. All 627 of those folks living in Williamsburg will go and watch. But what happens after Friday night?
It's not the coffee. It's the bunk.
Has anyone here actually seen Frances Ha? Because the film, Baumbach's screenplay and direction, and Gerwig's performance were raved at the Toronto, New York and Berlin Film Festivals.
shareThey rave about Baubach and Gerwig at every film festival and have for many years now. I think Mr. Jealousy even got good reviews. Baumbach is a crappy writer who specializes in navel gazing and Gerwig is worse than a stick of wood as an actress. No reason to think this film is any different based on the barely watchable trailer.
It's not the coffee. It's the bunk.
I thought she was cute, but she wasn't coasting on her cuteness. Seemed like a decent actress to me.
shareOnly hipsters are going to like this film? That's news to me, since I enjoyed it and nobody has ever taken me for a hipster. Not even close.
sharedocudrama, I am actually a fan of most of your 'work' here on imdb, but I thought Greta Gerwig was the only saving grace of the film. Baumbach isn't quite as obnoxiously over rated as Charlie Kaufman, but he is in the same ballpark, and this film is essentially embarrassing and oblivious . . . but she was damn good in it. She made an obnoxiously written character (yeah I know, she co-wrote) nearly endearing at times.
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I don't think she was meant to be a good dancer. That's why she was going nowhere with it.
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No, most people hate indie movies because they feature underdeveloped or boring characters. I don't have to like characters in a story. But I need to find them fascinating. I didn't find Frances fascinating. I didn't care if she triumphed or failed.
That's the problem with indie movies. They are basically just mediocre slice of life tales of boring people. It works for the film snob crowd. But it doesn't work for the general public.
MrC,
That was also my take. GG apparently had some personal history in dance before she went to college, but I don't see any evidence in this film that she did anything worthy in dance. This led me to the same conclusion you reached.
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Some of the scenes in the movie are on You Tube. Pick out any one of them. Her acting is stellar. Every line reading and every mannerism is carefully thought out. And it all makes sense. There are at least six clips, and everyone is a gem.
The difference between internet trolls and professional reviewers is that internet trolls don't ever have to learn anything. Go look at the clips carefully and you will understand if you are willing to be open-minded. She is fully invested in this character and everything she does amplifies the script beautifully. She is funny, endearing, awkward, annoying, clueless, and thoughtful. It's a complex character. Her scene at the dinner party is gorgeous in its wine-fueled but heartfelt plea for understanding.
I love Greta Gerwig and her acting. I could watch her 24/7. And I'm not saying this just to contradict you. I'm serious.
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