#Review : Mistress America

Listen to the spirits and watch power couple Noah Baumach’s and Greta Gerwig’s latest comedy, Mistress America. Gerwig who co-wrote and stars in the film, as New York socialite Brooke who is full of life and determined to open up her own restaurant.

The story isn’t even about Brooke. It’s about Tracy (Lola Kirke), a first-year college student who is lonely, vulnerable, and depressed because her short stories were denied by the college creative writing program.  Her one friend Tony (Matthew Shear), who she also has a crush on, ends up with a super jealous girlfriend Nicolette(Jasmine Cephas-Jones). Tracy’s whole life turns around when she meets Brooke, her new soon to be step-sister. Tracy and Brooke instantly become best friends, and Tracy sees that Brooke is everything she strives to be. She is a spin class teacher, the designer has cool musician boyfriends and her ultimate goal is to open up her new restaurant called Moms.  As Tracy spends more time with her new beloved sister, she begins to see that Brooke’s life plans aren’t working out. This inspires Tracy to start her new story based on Brooke‘s life, self-titled “Mistress America”. 

The film is presented with awkward funny dialogue from Gerwig, and it’s hard not to fall in love with the story.  Mistress America is focused on women developing their own relationships. The sisterhood and friendship between Brooke and Tracy turns out messy but it helps them define themselves. It’s a hip, smart, and funny film that’s worth checking out.

Fox Searchlight Pictures releases Mistress America in Toronto on Friday, August 21