Directed by : Noah Baumbach
Written by : Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig
Starring : Lola Kirke, Greta Gerwig
Release Date : August 14, 2015
As with many Noah Baumbach films, this is another movie that studies the human condition, with social commentaries and allegories embedded into the story. While I thought the premise was entertaining and insightful with very witty dialogues and colorful characters, I admit that it also felt a little contrived and artificial at times. Baumbach films isn't for everybody, but this one should in particular feel relatable to the kind of person who wants to fight against reality and live that dream life.
This movie is set in a slice-of-life situation about Tracy; a lonely college student played by Lola Kirke, who meets this full of life, soon-to-be, sister-in-law Brooke who is played by Greta Gerwig. Tracy just wants to be somebody desirable, and couldn't help but be immediately infatuated with Brooke, who seems to represent that "somebody." Seeing these two characters on screen is a lot of fun, and the supporting cast are great as well.
While there's an air of enjoyable but simple aloofness to the plot when it comes to Tracy and Brooke, the story moves along to reveal that these characters are definitely more than meets the eye. Things come to a head when they arrive at this upper class Greenwich, Connecticut home, which is an important and entertainingly long sequence that is probably the best highlight of the whole movie.
It'll be easy to call "Mistress America" a "stereotypical hipster-friendly indie-film," but I honestly thought the message of the movie is worth checking out. If anything else, see it for Greta Gerwig, who is a fantastic actress in this and who also did the screenplay.
lovedit ENJOYED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible
