I'm playing a bit of catch up this week before I write up my big review of The Hateful Eight. First up is Noah Baumbach's Mistress America, which is his latest team up with star Greta Gerwig who previously starred in his very underrated Frances Haa. If that film explored the European indie film genre, this is his attempt at the Woody Allen witty dialogue driven comedy a la Annie Hall. It explores the life of a new college freshman writer played by Lola Kirke who finds out that her soon-to-be 30 year old step sister is living in Manhattan close to her school. She finally meets Greta Gerwig's character and as she starts to learn about this "hot mess", her energy and her representation of the "millennial" generation compels her to write a new short story inspired by her mad adventures. This all culminates in the the last 45 minutes where friends, old friends, and other poor people swept up in their storm, all come together in one really nice fancy house to hash it out with some of the best comedic dialogue of the year.
I found this to be a very enjoyable and light film. I was a bit unsure of it during its set up and I was even a little annoyed by Greta Gerwig this time around with how quirky she was. It wasn't until that last 45 minutes where I finally understood why everything was set up the way that it was. It is a madcap little one-act play that sort of unfolds at the end and I found it completely delightful with just the right amount of melancholy and drama to mix in to the comedy stew.
You may not have heard of this movie, but I think you absolutely should go and find it. It's a fun time with really great female protagonists and a sweet 80's style soundtrack that I think you will really dig.
Grade: B+
Mistress America is now available on DVD and blu-ray.
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