Frances (Greta) Is Great!
I just saw the nicest, warmest movie I have seen in a long time. It's a feel-good movie with an actress who captured my old heart. Greta Gerwig is that actress; and she plays a young soul trying to make her way as a dancer in Manhattan. Talk of competition, never-ending struggle, living without paychecks for rent-- week after week and on the move more than she wants. But what a heart! What a spirit!
Greta Is "Rich" As Well!
To one of her roommates, Frances moans, "I am poor!" To which he says, "You are not poor! There are poor people, but you are not one of them!"... "If you knew how little money I have, you would agree that I am very poor!" He shakes his head and disagrees. And I think he was right. She wasn't really poor. Poor is about more than no cash. It has to do with a person's basic mind-set. And hers was rich, full of life, and ever trying to get to where she wants to be: a dancer with a company.
Persistence Can Change Life!
And with it all, she has a mind that refuses to accept the reality that's presented to her.
Somehow, instinctively, she knows that with her persistence what's before her will change into something she needs.
Frances Doesn't Give In!
She has a dear girlfriend from their days in college; and they are like two peas in a pod. They act the way little girls act, hugging, close together whenever chance finds them together. She is Sophie (Mickey Sumner); and life is not easy for either of these girls.
But while Sophie sort of gives in, Frances keeps on in her exuberant fashion. Yes, at times she tells some lies to hide her true place in her life but mostly to keep friends from feeling sorry for her.
She Lives In The Real World!
I think her whole life is dedicated to her goal to be a dancer and to find her rightful place in the universe of love. Some have called this a fantasy, but she's in the real world- but never accepting all the bad breaks or the hardships which circumstances deal. It's all temporary and somehow it will disappear-- once she finds the right place her life can fit into. And in the end, Frances finds it.
How Her Name Became "HA"!
The very last scene shows her putting her first and last name on a narrow card to be inserted in the space where her mail's received. Apparently, her last name takes up too much space, so she tears off most of the name, HARDESTY (I believe) and ends up with just HA.
Ah... How to rank this movie gem? It may not gross much cash or a lot of film fame, but I think it's worth a light EIGHT.
Happy Moving Going!