The other night I had a chance to watch Noam Baumbach's Francis Ha, a modern day coming of age story about a struggling dancer in New York trying to find meaningful friendship. Shot in black and white, the film had an immediate quality; you never know where things might go with Francis. One minute she's in Brooklyn, the other she's Sacramento for Christmas, and then there's that spontaneous trip to Paris.

I enjoyed it. The film followed my filmmaking aesthetic: strong characters and personal growth. The people are trying to find their place in an ever changing world. However, not everyone who watched the film loved it. Some actually loathed it, and it was interesting to see how polarizing this independent film can be. [Warning: Spoilers Below]. Performances are very nuanced and there's a cyclical journey to Francis. You never know what you have until you've lost it. The film scored high on Rotten Tomatoes and the trailer conveyed the sensibility of the film. Would you see it? 

Here are some comments I'd like to address: 

(1) Viewers complained that the trailer misled them. I think the trailer did its job and made them watch the film without giving away too much of the plot. 

(2) The ending just happened. I think the film set this up fine. It's a slice of Francis' life and she's endearing. I think we have been programmed to expect something monumental at the end of each film. 

(3) It would've been better in colour. I understand the economics of shooting in black and white; it's cheaper. However, it can create a nostalgic quality. I admit with my cinematography background that I wished it was in colour because it took place in present day, but it's a creative choice that has many factors influencing it. 

Would I make a film similar to Francis Ha? Yes, I would; the pacing is reflective to how I perceive life; the characters have a degree of uncertainty that I see in the people around me. Nobody really knows their destiny and all we can do is try.