This is a very small movie, in the best possible sense. Outside of changes of zip codes, nothing much appears to happen; this is an ode to friendship, however fraught and delicate friendships can be. Essentially, this story follows Frances (like Catherine Moreland, in Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey", she falls into the category of those who would never have been supposed to be born an heroine) as she floats through her life, leaving little indelible impression on her surroundings. She is vulnerable, and yet has a resiliency which seemingly will carry her through all of her gaffes and miscues. She reminds me very strongly of Poppy, Sally Hawkins' character in Mike Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky", although it must be said that, when it comes to dealing with real-life situations, Frances makes Poppy look like Margaret Thatcher by comparison.
Review of Frances Ha
