Andrew Bujalski, Greta Gerwig, Kent Osborne

Hannah is a recent college graduate interning at a Chicago production company. She is crushing on two writers at work, Matt and Paul, who share an office and keep her entertained. Will a relationship ...( read more  read more... )with one of them disrupt the delicate balance of their friendship?

Flixster Users

48% liked it

2,001 ratings

Critics

58% liked it

45 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Joe Swanberg

Release Date: August 22, 2007

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DVD Release Date: April 22, 2008

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Stats: 158 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (158)


  • May 20, 2008
    The latest trend in independent films seems to be these extraordinarily minimalistic, documentary-like films that i've heard dubbed as "Mumblecore". The idea behind that is the films are completely driven by their dialogue and little else... although, the characters are not entir...( read more)ely sophisticated. They're young, and tend to go on tangents or produce random anecdotes from their daily life. Sometimes it works and it is a blast to watch. In this one, however, I felt that although it had a wonderfully inspired cast, it came off as extremely phony and indulgent.

    Greta Gerwig plays Hannah, the college graduate intern at a Chicago production company. The films leads us through her quarrels with love, from her musician boyfriend at the start of the film to the office romances that close out the film. Hannah is a self-absorbed and seems very unfit not only for "the real world", but love itself. The film doesn't portray her too negatively, rather as just young and confused. However, as a viewer, I couldn't help myself but hating her by the time the film ended... as charming and adorable as she was. She's so self-involved that it's impossible to feel any compassion for her character whatsoever.

    Gerwig's performance was very good and clearly something she believed in deeply. I haven't read anything about this, but i'd guess she was heavily involved with the creation of Hannah as a character. The rest can be said for the rest of the cast. It's good to see a small group of friends who are incredibly motivated to take up something so ambitious. For that, you can't knock this at all... it's a great accomplishment from an inspired young group of people.

    As far as the content of the film goes - it did cover a lot of ground. And, better yet, it said a whole lot without really saying a whole lot. I like that. The problem was that this was all so pretentious and overdone that I didn't care for any of it at all. It explores love in a way that an average person has an understanding of, not to mention it's been done on film countless times. Although it was real, I felt as though I was a fly on the wall of a conversation between 14 year olds, acting as though they're like, all like, deep and stuff. I'm not saying you need to go off on big philosophical rants or anything, but I think films like Linklater's "Before Sunset" did a better job of examining the human condition in regards to love (which is also very minimalist in form).

    My other gripe was that at times it came off as trying a bit too hard. I mean, I doubt Belle and Sebastian are as indie and hip as this. Films like Juno can give off that quirky attitude that isn't completely phony and contrived, but this one just seemed like it was screened in a Starbucks before a big Broken Social Scene show. It's fine to have style, but trying to be hip and failing is another thing entirely. It was transparent.
  • October 3, 2008
    Very few of the characters were compelling enough to make the improvised, handheld, do-it-yourself style work. But Hannah is one of them.
  • May 30, 2009
    shot on dv, and confined to rooms, a entertaining look at friendship and relationships, as a writer breaks up with boyfriend and then rather quickly hooks up with her writing partners, very down to earth acting, and situations, it works well, all actors are worth watching and do ...( read more)good work,
  • December 20, 2008
    This was a painfully awkward movie. It felt very true and in real time so as a result was slow. hannah reminded me of ellen Degeneres. there weren't any real surprises in this film or any incredible laughable moments. The only thing missing from this film was Hannah expressing he...( read more)r true feelings toward her room mate. The relationship between her and her roomate was the only one left unexplored.
  • May 31, 2008
    no that looks really gay!
  • May 9, 2008
    This looks a little to low budget indie for me, but if I hear anything spectacular about it I will give it a chance.
  • February 12, 2008
    I'm just now seeing the movie. I didn't realize how many people I knew that actually had something to do with the movie. it was good.
  • August 30, 2007
    Hi Hannah
    Its Peyman
  • August 25, 2007
    I have not seen yet I would like to

Critic Reviews


January 9, 2009
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

Hannah Takes the Stairs, the latest comedy of mannerisms in the "mumblecore" style, is maddening for 60 of its 83 minutes. full review

September 7, 2007
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Hannah is charmingly self-absorbed without the extenuating circumstance of self-knowledge. Above all, she's young. The movie forgives her for that and, with occasional misgivings, so do we. full review

August 15, 2007
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

At what cost, naturalism? full review

July 29, 2007
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

The unexpected appeal of this seeming non-story is cumulative; what begins as a maddening portrait of a microcosm of liberal, well-educated white kids (with the occasional ethnic friend) steadily grow... full review

View more Hannah Takes the Stairs reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • xxleavittoo
    August 15, 2007
    hannah is soooooo kool i love her show and her movie!!!!

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