Film Review: Mistress America (15), (U.S.A. 2015) (Director: Noah Baumbach), Tuesday 08.09.2013 14:30, Filmhouse, Screen One, Edinburgh

This is a new film by the writer/director, Noah Baumbach, and star, Greta Gerwig, of the excellent 'Frances Ha' (2012). This is a subtle comedy of manners, where the main protagonist for most of the film appears to be a very unsubtle self-obsessed narcissist. The joy of the film is in the attention given to fine details that are brought to life by fine performances, particularly by Gerwig (Brooke), and Lola Kirke (Tracy) who is expected to become Brooke's sister via an up-coming marriage. 

I would say that the film is very good, though I still prefer 'Frances Ha'. The reasoning for this is very simple. Frances Ha's main character was an agendaless naive innocent who was just trying to find some semblance of a way to be. There was no bitterness, resentment, competitiveness or sense-of-entitlement which sadly dog a lot of Brook's actions and expressions. Obviously there is more to Brooke, and I would say that the reason I stuck with this fundamentally largely objectionable character was due to the quality of the portrayal. 

Although the film was very engaging, I cannot consider Brooke to be endearing in the way Frances was. That pretty much sums it up; two very good films, one has a central character who could be considered charming and the other has a central character who I would want to run away from. 

Rating: 09/10.