Barbieis officially on Netflix, and the movie is a great reminder to watch couple Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s first project together. Released in theaters in 2023, over a year later,Barbiehas landed on Netflix’s Top 10 Chart in the U.S. The film is a cultural phenomenon, reigniting nostalgic childhoods and beloved memories everywhere while tackling the complicated cultural perception of the iconic doll.Barbiehas an epic cast of characters: led by Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and America Ferrera, the film became so successful thatMattel now has 45 movies in development based on their toys.
Gerwig and Baumbach co-wrote theBarbiescript, while Gerwig directed it. However, this movie is not the first timeGreta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach have made a movietogether. In fact,Gerwig and Baumbach’s first film collaboration was the independent comedy-drama movie,Frances Ha.Frances Hamight seem entirely different fromBarbieat first glance. However, the two films actually have a lot in common despite their stark contrasts in directorial choices, genres, and audiences.Barbie’s arrival on Netflix indicates that now is the time to rewatch Gerwig and Baumbach’s first movie and compare notes.
Frances Ha Is One Of Greta Gerwig’s First Major Projects - What The Movie Is About
Frances Ha Depicts A 27-Year-Old Struggling Dancer
Although Gerwig wrote a few films beforeFrances Ha, this comedy-drama is arguably her big breakthrough as a screenwriter.Frances Hadepicts the titular character, portrayed by Gerwig, struggling to find her place in this worldafter her roommate and close friend, Sophie, leaves their Brooklyn apartment, which results in Frances no longer being able to afford it. Frances jumps from scenario to scenario, attempting to make ends meet. Frances lives in Chinatown with two other friends; she moves back home to Sacramento for some time; she impulsively decides to travel to Paris for a few days.
Frances also goes from job to job when the dance company she works for lets her go just before Christmas. She works as a waitress, a resident assistant, a choreographer, and a bookkeeper. This flick is also ablack-and-white comedy film, a notable stylistic choice that affects the film’s perspective. Furthermore,Frances Hais relatable and touching while exploring the importance of friendships between women. Gerwig and Baumbach have collaborated on quite a few movies sinceFrances Ha, but their first one certainly set the tone for their off-beat yet resonant future projects.
How Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach’s Collaborations Have Evolved Since Frances Ha
Gerwig & Baumbach’s Projects Have Become More Mainstream But Many Motifs Remain
Gerwig and Baumbach have demonstrated some variety in their notable projects sinceFrances Ha, but there has still been consistency among them. They co-wrote the 2015 comedyMistress America, about two soon-to-be stepsisters unexpectedly bonding.Gerwig has continued to explore the dynamics between women inLady Bird(between mother and daughter) andLittle Women(between sisters). Meanwhile, Baumbach has also notably explored various types of relationships inMarriage StoryandWhite Noise— the latter of which Gerwig also stars in.
15 Best Movies About Friendship
From coming-of-age dramas like Stand By Me to wedding comedies like Bridemaids, filmmakers have made all kinds of great movies about friendship.
Barbieis the first film Gerwig and Baumbach co-wrote together sinceMistress America,illustrating the stark differences between their first two filmsand this smash hit. For one, Baumbach directedFrances HaandMistress America, while Gerwig directedBarbie. Each has their own stylistic decisions, and the differences are evident between Baumbach’s directorial ideas and Gerwig’s. Furthermore, despite some common themes, each movie tells its own story.Frances Hais about a struggling dancer;Mistress Americais about two soon-to-be stepsisters becoming friends;Barbieis a live-action film based on the famous Mattel doll.
How Frances Ha’s Influence Is Felt In Barbie
The Power Of Friendship Between Women
Frances HaandBarbie, in particular, exhibit notable differences.Frances Hais an independent, black-and-white comedy-drama written for a specific audience. On the other hand,Barbiehas a massive audience, given that it is a live-action adaptation of the beloved Mattel doll. However,they share many commonalities, too, primarily highlighting the importance of female friendships.Barbieland is on the brink of falling apart at the hands of their Kens, but the women work together to save their home, something they could not do without each other.
The Barbies working together with Gloria and Sasha reflect Frances and Sophie’s newfound friendship.
InFrances Ha, Sophie and Frances drift apart, but by the end, it turns out Sophie has also been struggling without Frances, albeit in a different way. The Barbies working with Gloria and Sasha reflect Frances and Sophie’s newfound friendship. It is fascinating to see that, despite the stark contrasts betweenFrances HaandBarbie,Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s writing styles are noticeable in both films.Gerwig and Baumbach are in the early stages of developingBarbie 2, so it will be exciting to see how the filmmakers decide to go about this theme in the sequel.
Barbie
Cast
Barbie is a film adaptation of the generational iconic toy directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach. The film centers on Margot Robbie’s Barbie who is expelled from Barbieland and travels with Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world in search of happiness. The film also stars Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and several other famous celebrities in cameo roles.
Frances Ha
Frances Ha is a comedy-drama directed by Noah Baumbach, starring Greta Gerwig as Frances, an aspiring dancer navigating life and friendships in New York City. The film follows her journey of self-discovery and the challenges she faces while pursuing her dreams, exploring themes of ambition, relationships, and independence. Gerwig’s performance and Baumbach’s direction encapsulate the struggles and aspirations of a young artist in the modern world.
