Shot in near-complete secrecy and unannounced until just this past July, it's suitably consistent that director Noah Baumbach's seventh feature, “Frances Ha,” would also become one of the surprise highlights of the festival circuit this year. Co-written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, who also stars, the film already garnered a fantastic reception at Telluride this year (from us included), and now, following a similar performance in Toronto, it appears distribution for the comedy-drama is coming together.
IFC Films have begun negotiations to acquire the black-and-white film. This choice follows their recent seven-figure deal struck over Neil Jordan's “Byzantium,” and considering the successful response “Frances Ha” has earned thus far, a similar figure might not be too far behind for this film. Centered around Gerwig as an aspiring New York dancer, Baumbach's latest charts her initial steps toward independence while also facing frustration over her career, but in a sweeping, enthralling way that transcends the seemingly tired narrative. With “Girls” star Adam Driver and Mickey Sumner rounding out the cast too, alongside a fantastic soundtrack sporting The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Harry Nilsson, "Frances Ha" finds its director revitalized and at the top of his game.
With “The Squid and the Whale” remaining Baumbach's highest grosser with $7.6 million, a huge office-take for “Frances Ha” probably isn't foremost on many people's minds, but with our Telluride review classifying the film as “one of Baumbach's most accessible and joyous works,” we'd say there's still a decent chance of a hit. A release date hasn't yet been announced, but considering the buzz on the film, expect to see “Frances Ha” in front of an audience rather quickly. [Variety]