While We're Young (2015)

On the Criterion bluray of Blow Out there is an extended video conversation between Brian De Palma and Noah Baumbach. When this was first announced, I remember thinking the pairing to be rather odd. But the more I think about it, it makes sense. Just because Baumbach makes movies that look a certain way, doesn't mean that he only watches films that look like his own. As the child of a film critic I'm sure he grew up watching all kinds of movies and they're all there within him. Though the trailer wouldn't give you any indication of such, While We're Young has supplied Baumbach with ample opportunity to let some of his more genre oriented impulses out...and I couldn't be more pleased. It's not a case of a filmmaker pretending to be something he is not. Instead this is a wider embrace of who he really is as a person. Just as Frances Ha was his French New Wave film, this is his 70's Political Thriller. Of course it's still as cutting and hilarious as what we've come to expect from Baumbach, but that little bit of thriller goes a long way towards making this one of the strongest works in an already strong filmography. And oh what a charismatic "villain"! So far this is easily my favorite film of the year. See it while you're young.