Joining a handful of filmmakers making their return last year including Lynne Ramsay, Cameron Crowe and Alexander Payne, Whit Stillman showed he still had the goods when he unveiled "Damsels In Distress" at the Venice and Toronto film festivals last year. Filled with this trademark patter, distinct style and a tone and mood that all his his own, the film isn't for everyone, but for those willing to go along for the ride, it's worth the watch.
Starring Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke and Carrie MacLemore, the film follows the quartet of girls as they try to impact lives of women — in their own strange and oddball way — on the campus of the fictional prep school Seven Oaks. Naturally boys, sex and romance tip the scales and complicate matters in this hyper stylized movie that requires a certain willingness from viewers to play along. The first trailer is a pretty good taste of what's to come even if it focuses mostly on the quips, and overall "Damsels In Distress" is a film we enjoyed at TIFF even if it did wind up running out of steam by the end.
The film will start rolling out on April 6th, so take a look below.
It's a college, not a prep school.
I found this film to be an excruciating, overtly precious bore. Gerwig just about made it tolerable but I still was compelled to walk out 15 minutes before it ended, and I never do that usually.
This is America in 2012….No one needs further witty critiques of the 1% by the 1%. We get it, the 1%'s half-grown children feel bad about their privilege, so they spring to star in films solely about it. And the quirky animals they leave in the freezer, and the sloppy, oopsy intercourse they had out of doors.
It's not a matter of people being offended, no more so than Stillman is offended by or is personally invested in the concerns of filmmakers and films beneath his tax bracket. Maybe this year, Occupy Wall Street will generously give him real heat worth filming. Just bring some classy dresses for his self-absorbed fans to swoon at, and action!
I am so very excited for this. Anyone complaining about his work focusing on upper-middle class white people should be aware that he offers very subtle and comprehensive critiques of the class, as well as understanding of it. Besides, I have no idea why people would be offended by a story about rich people, simply because rich people are rich. That sounds pretty prejudiced.
File this under Self-Servicing Movies the 1% Feasts On
Gerwig, Sofia and Dunham should hang. Like, hangman.
Where is Adam Brody? I watch this film because of him. Even no him on the poster.