15 Essential Films You Might've Missed From This Decade (So Far)

10. Frances Ha

The recent release of While We're Young has further consolidated Noah Baumbach's position as one of the greatest American independent filmmakers currently active - 2013's Francis Ha, starring his partner Greta Gerwig, is perhaps the lightest entry into his filmography. Gerwig plays Frances Halladay with a restless energy and drive, while Baumbach's direction is playful and assured, drawing favourable comparisons to the likes of Jim Jarmusch, John Cassavettes and Woody Allen. As the film freewheels from one city to the next Frances's eagerness to make it as a dancer and fit in with the New York in-crowd becomes infectious to watch. Frances Ha has often been categorised as a mumblecore movie, a label which feels inappropriate for a film with such energy and vitality.