MISTRESS AMERICA
Directed by Noah Baumbach
Screen play by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach
Starring Greta Gerwig and Lola Kirke
A lonely college freshman, Tracy, (Kirke) life is turned upside down by her soon-to-be stepsister Brooke (Gerwig).
I love Greta Gerwig. In fact I was disappointed when they decided not to film How I Met Your Father with Greta starring. However here, shockingly, she is the weak link in this film. Yes her character is hard to like, she is very self absorbed and she seems to be living in a world where she is caught between dreams and the reality of a cruel world. So yes, she is hard to like, but the main problem is she seems to be just reading her lines. It was odd, a couple times I just shook my head wondering what was that, she seemed to be reading and not showing emotions. She was one of the writers of the film, maybe she got caught up in her own words, almost like she was doing a table reading.
The film is odd, New York is a big character in the film, however while they were in NY, this film is annoying, then it changed. It changed when they went to visit Brooke's ex-boyfriend and his wife who stole said boyfriend away! That part of the film takes place in that house for about 40 minutes of the short 82 minute film, and it turns the whole film around. At that point it turns into a stage play and everyone of the actors led by by newcomer Lola Kirke give fantastic performances. There are about 7 people in that house and they all attack their roles/characters. Funny, sad, desperate, lonely, and even snotty. Loved it!! When they do finally leave the house I was kind of sad, and then, back to New York, and.....it felt a little lame again.
3 1/2 out of 5 for Mistress America. Highlighted by newcomer Lola Kirke. I think it may be worth a look when it is available for home viewing.
I will be taking a break until next Thursday.
Next week I will try to post my awards for the summer movie season so look for that.
Happy Labor Day and from the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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