Greta Gerwig stars as Frances Halliday, a free-spirited young woman living on a day-by-day basis in New York. Frances is sort of a dancer, but she doesn’t really dance much. She also sort of shares a flat with her best friend Sophie, until Sophie moves out with her partner. Thus, Frances jumps from place to place, making new friends while trying to make ends meet. The only constant in her life is Sophie.
Gerwig co-wrote the screenplay with director Noah Baumbach, and the story is very personal for both of them. The film finds a perfect balance between drama and subtlety, often shining brightest in the smaller, quieter moments. Frances is both worldly and naive, which gives her quite a few interesting things to say. Here are twelve of the best quotes from this slice-of-life film.
- Frances: It’s that thing when you’re with someone, and you love them and they know it, and they love you and you know it… but it’s a party… and you’re both talking to other people, and you’re laughing and shining… and you look across the room and catch each other’s eyes… but – but not because you’re possessive, or it’s precisely sexual… but because… that is your person in this life. And it’s funny and sad, but only because this life will end, and it’s this secret world that exists right there in public, unnoticed, that no one else knows about. It’s sort of like how they say that other dimensions exist all around us, but we don’t have the ability to perceive them. That’s – That’s what I want out of a relationship.
- Frances: I’m so embarrassed. I’m not a real person yet.
- Frances: I like things that look like mistakes.
- Andy: So, what do you do?
Frances: It’s kinda hard to explain.
Andy: Because what you do is complicated?
Frances: Because I don’t really do it. - Frances: I’m too tall to marry.
- Frances: I’m poor.
Benji: That’s offensive to actual poor people. - Frances: Do I look old to you?
Benji: No. Yes.
Frances: How old?
Benji: Older than I am.
Frances: Older than 27?
Benji: No. 27 is old, though. - Frances: I have so much to do. I think I’ll probably read Proust … Because sometimes it’s good to do what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it.
Caroline: Proust is pretty heavy.
Frances. Yeah, but it’s worth it, I hear.
Caroline: No, I meant the book. Carrying it on the plane.
Frances: I should probably learn french first … and then read it in French. - Sophie: You will always be messy and look at yourself in the mirror too much.
- Benji: I think it’s a great day … I Internet-acquired three pairs of very rare Ray-Bans. I’m doing awesome.
- Benji: Frances: undateable.
- Frances: I love you, Sophie, even if you love your phone that has e-mail more than you love me.
Sophie: My phone that has e-mail doesn’t leave a casserole dish in the sink for three days.
