By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024
If you’ve ever seen a Noah Baumbach movie, you know the intellectual, independent, and witty style of his films. Baumbach focuses on individual characters as they are going through real-life situations that many of us can relate to. Stories about families, fitting in, or growing up are at the core of many of Baumbach’s films. Director Noah Baumbach has written and directed many films and has been nominated for Academy Awards. He has collaborated with many famous actors and actresses, including Greta Gerwig. Noah Baumbach has also written films with Wes Anderson, which is where some of the more whimsical side of his writing comes from.
For those that haven’t seen many or any of Baumbach’s films, be ready to enjoy some smart and interesting stories. Whether it’s The Meyerowitz Stories, Kicking and Screaming, Mr. Jealousy, or White Noise, Baumbach’s filmography has some great titles to try out. He writes and makes movies about youth but also middle age, family ties and families breaking apart, and what it’s like to be young and impressionable. As a writer and a director, he is one of our most celebrated independent filmmakers of the past 30 years. Want to know which film of his to watch next? Take this quiz and we’ll tell you.
Noah Baumbach
Noah Baumbach is an American film writer and director. His films are frequently set in New York. He and future Blumhouse founder Jason Blum were roommates at Vasser College. Noah Baumbach's first film, Kicking and Screaming, was about four individuals who graduate from college and don't want to grow up. Mr. Jealousy was his follow-up film, which was about a man who is so jealous of his girlfriend that he sneaks into her ex-boyfriend's group therapy sessions to learn about their relationship. Following that, he helped co-write The Life Aquatic of Steve Zissou with Wes Anderson before writing and directing The Squid and The Whale, starring Jeff Daniels, Jesse Eisenberg, and Laura Linney. This earned him the best reviews of his career up to that point and made him more of a household name, as he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Baumbach then made Margot at the Wedding with his then-wife Jennifer Jason Leigh. After another collaboration with Anderson on The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Baumbach began his career in movies starring Greta Gerwig. This includes Greenberg, Frances Ha, and Mistress America. He also made While We're Young with Adam Driver, Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, and Amanda Seyfried. In 2017, he made The Meyerowitz Stories with Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Marvel, and Ben Stiller, following a dysfunctional family. He directed and wrote Marriage Story, which starred Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Laura Dern. He also directed Adam Driver in White Noise, which also starred Greta Gerwig and Don Cheadle. Baumbach and Greta Gerwig have been romantic partners since 2011.
Which Noah Baumbach Movie Should I Watch Next?
Alright cinephiles, if you’ve been dicing through the sour-tangy goodness of Hollywood's indie scene, you've probably heard of Noah Baumbach. This New York-based maestro has a knack for peeling back the layers of life's most relatable moments, rolling them out on the big screen with a side of chuckles and sometimes, a dash of discomfort. Whether you’re in the mood for a light drizzle of family dynamics gone awry or a full-blown stormy romance, Baumbach’s got a recipe that’ll stick to your ribs.
Deciding on which Baumbach film to queue up next can feel like choosing the perfect bagel in a New York deli—a delightful dilemma, but a dilemma nonetheless. From his early kneadings of post-collegiate life to the hearty loaf of middle-aged introspection, Baumbach’s filmography can be a smorgasbord. So, butter up your popcorn, because we’re going to chew the fat on which Baumbach film should be your next watch.
We all have those days when we pine for the cozy chaos of a family that puts the ‘fun’ in dysfunctional, right? Or maybe you crave that poignant artisanal touch of existential angst served up in a way only Baumbach can. Those savory films marinated in the streets of New York, where every frame is a slice of life, are waiting for us to devour. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dig into the cinema spread of Noah Baumbach because one of his flicks is definitely going to hit the spot.
Picking Your Baumbach Binge
Hold on to your indie hearts, cinephiles! We're about to dive into the cerebral, often achingly funny world of Noah Baumbach—where intellectual meets awkward, and every frame is a mood.
Examining the Baumbach Essence
When we watch a Baumbach movie, we're signing up for a front-row seat to the quirkiest character studies. Marriage Story unravels the complexities of a crumbling relationship with Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson delivering performances that had us all reaching for the nearest tissue box. The authenticity of their portrayals snagged an Oscar for Johansson and put Marriage Story in the running for Best Picture and Original Screenplay.
Dive into the Dysfunctional
Our next stop is the family dysfunction junction—The Squid and the Whale. Baumbach isn't just serving us any drama; he dishes out a comedy-drama that's both poignant and peculiar. With Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney as the parents, we're handed a candid look at the messy side of family life that's uncomfortably relatable. This indie gem is an exploration of egos colliding and intimate details no one asked for, but we can't help but watch.
The Quest for Best: Critically Acclaimed Hits
Now, if we're talking about Baumbach's crème de la crème, let's lock our eyes on the films that got the critics' pens wagging. The Squid and the Whale clinched a spot in indie movie fame, as mentioned, with its raw look at a family in turmoil. But if you're craving something with a side of nostalgia, grace yourself for Kicking and Screaming—not a family flick but a journey through the anguish of post-college life infused with Baumbach's contemplative humor. Ready to belly laugh while scratching your head in philosophical wonder? That's the spirit!
So, grab your popcorn, and let's get ready to immerse in the multifaceted worlds carved out by Baumbach's brilliant mind—where every scene's a dialogue diamond and each character's a little too real. Let's binge!
Behind the Scenes and Beyond the Screen
We all love a juicy bit of behind-the-scenes action, don't we? From the magnetic collaborations to Baumbach's distinct filmmaking flair, let's nosedive into what makes his movies such cinematic treats.
Collaborative Craft: Familiar Faces and Newcomers
Greta Gerwig, not just Baumbach's partner but his muse, has been the face we've grown to love in works like Frances Ha. It's like a get-together where the faces you expect are present, but you're also introduced to a host of intriguing new pals. Speaking of new, Amanda Seyfried and Adam Sandler brought fresh energy into Baumbach's narrative cosmos, veering away from their usual Hollywood orbits. Let's just say, Sandler in The Meyerowitz Stories? He's like a familiar tune played with a whole new rhythm, folks!
- Familiar Faces: Greta Gerwig, Adam Sandler
- Newcomers: Amanda Seyfried, Ben Stiller, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Off the Cuff: Baumbach's Signature Style
Baumbach's movies are like a cocktail — a mix of funny and sad with a twist of humor, shaken not stirred. Frances Ha, for instance, is a black-and-white palate cleanser in a world of HD color. Don't even get us started on his latest, White Noise – it's like watching a profound book come to life, complete with comic undertones woven through the existential dread! If Wes Anderson taught us how to appreciate symmetrical shots in Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Baumbach shows us the raw emotion behind the everyday moments.
- Style Elements: Humorous, Intimate, Reflective
- Comparable Influence: Wes Anderson's visual symmetry
Let's be real, diving into a Baumbach film is like deciding to ride the rollercoaster after eating a hot dog; it's a risk, but the thrill is too tempting. So wear that lap belt tight because you're in for some rollicking Baumbach-coaster moments!
