Rating: If Noah Baumbach keeps churning out films at his current pace (this is his second feature of the year after the charming While We're Young), he may just become the next Woody Allen. His vision of New York is certainly in keeping with Allen's, however, Mistress America has more in common with the director's 1970s screwball comedies, as opposed to his more recent dramatic outings (and thank goodness for it). The story, such as it is, sees college Lit loner Tracy (Lola Kirke) compelled to look up her future step-sister Brooke (Baumbach's partner and co-writer Greta Gerwig) during one particularly despondent, disappointing evening. She ditches her pie-for-one and ventures into the great unknown, meeting Brooke at Times Square before engaging in a much-needed evening of talking, bonding and drinking. Brooke provides the spark that Tracy needs to get her life in order, with her adventurous socialite lifestyle providing perfect inspiration for a short story that is sure to get her accepted into the hallowed literature society which once turned her down. Tracy has a focus and enjoys spending time with Brooke (bordering on idolisation), but Brooke herself cannot seem to get her own life in any sort of order. She is the prototypical 'jack of all trades, master of none', bouncing between a number of part-time vocations ('curating her employment') while trying to put the pieces together and keep her head above water. What she really wants is to be in the restaurant business, or so she thinks: although she has an idyllic vision of what owning a restaurant might be like, she does not have the 'follow-through' to pull it off, the recurring theme of her adult life. Gerwig is superb as the self-professed autodidact, with a handy supporting cast also providing good value. But it is the script which is the real 'star' of the show. Instead of slowing down towards the final act, the film instead continues at a dizzying pace, with dialogue zipping back and forth at breakneck speed. Not a line is wasted, resulting in one of the most quotable films of the year. There is plenty more to admire about Mistress America, in particular the 1980s synth score and, although the scene where Brooke and gang venture to the suburbs to try to secure funding from her former boyfriend and best friend (now sworn enemy) does go on a little longer than necessary, altogether this is a breezy, punchy ode to the city of New York and the people living in it. Have you seen Mistress America? Let us know what you thought down in the comments.
