MAGGIE’S PLAN directed by Rebecca Miller. 99 minutes. See listing. Rating: NNNN
Rebecca Millers dramedy about a young woman who imagines she can take control of her life and others oozes charm thanks to the unique presence of Greta Gerwig.
She plays college administrator Maggie, who hits up an old friend (Travis Fimmel) for sperm only to find herself pregnant after suddenly hooking up with married prof John (Ethan Hawke).
Three years later we catch up with her, now living with daughter Lily and John, an impossibly self-absorbed writer whose interest in her is directly proportional to her ability to gush over his still-unfinished novel. Soon shes planning her exit from the relationship.
Millers casting is terrific. Julianne Moore is a gas as Johns equally narcissistic ex-wife, Hawke is turning into one of the best American screen actors around, and Bill Hader and Maya Rudolph as Maggies couple friends squabble to great effect.
Miller is crazy about New York City. Every location in funky Brooklyn and the Village is carefully selected for what turns out to be, in part, a love letter to the city.
But its the ever-watchable Gerwig who takes this pic to the next level. Shes quirky, vulnerable and hot in ways that are wholly unconventional. (And fans of Frances Ha will be glad to know she has a dance sequence here, too yay!) Shes a true original, perfect for Millers offbeat dialogue.
Check out our interview with director Rebecca Miller.
