$3000 and it feels like it. Greta later gave an interview where they asked her about participating in films of this caliber and she seemingly indicated that she would be open to small indie films with no budgets in the future, but probably not that low. The future is now, and Greta Gerwig is a rising mega-star. This came out right before her big break. Now in interviews she says that she wants to rotate between big budget blockbusters and personal passion projects; just like Christopher Nolan. Her sights are not turning back.
Even still, though this movie has been (mostly) scrubbed from the internet and the world, we can see into a budding Gerwig. Rod Webber makes sure we know that he wrote and directed this, and even centers his annoying character throughout the film's entirety, BUT he acknowledges that the other actors contributed additional material. It seems pretty clear that the other actors wrote in their own dialogue, but that is especially clear with Gerwig. She references a Catholic school story that would become Ladybird. She also talks about New York City apartment woes with a striking similarity to Frances Ha. You can see her quips and attitudes gleam through the pixelated cringe of most of this moment. Every time she says something smart or genuinely funny the dialogue that is returned to her is absolute garbage. She is clearly punching way above her league in this movie. You can tell she belongs somewhere else. Even though she hadn't "made" it yet, everything about her is incongruous with the quality of the film.
This movie is sooo 2010 hipstercore. The tweed indie music mansplainy lib-adjacent faux-deep tumblr scroll vibes of this movie will reverb through your body and burst your organs if you're not careful. This movie isn't good, and it doesn't say much, but there are tiny little moments here and there that brush actual emotion, real relational tumult, and maybe even beauty. That greatness was eventually allowed to flourish with Gerwig, but I do wonder what might have been.
- I love a good diner scene
- The woman talking about being uncomfortable with friend's whose values do not match their actions really struck me
- Gerwig said she didn't smoke and then proceeded to chainsmoke
- there is unexpected male nudity because,,,, rod wanted to get naked?
With this obscure entry, I am ready to have seen more of Gerwig's work than everyone else. I'm on my way !
