Damsels in Distress
Written and Directed
By: Whit Stillman
Starring: Greta
Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton, Carrie MacLemore, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Adam Brody,
Ryan Metcalf, Jeremaine Crawford, Zach Woods, Hugo Becker, and Aubrey Plaza
Director of Photography: Doug Emmett, Editor: Andrew Hafitz,
Production Designer: Elizabeth J. Jones, Original Music: Mark Suozzo
The
bright colors and giddy atmosphere of Damsels
in Distress seems to be a perfect remedy for the frat boy dorms that plague
the campus of Seven Oaks University. Although Damsels is the latest film from Whit Stillman, it’s hard not to
think he was simply shooting this adorable comedy across campus while Animal House filmed on frat row. They
seem to come from the same universe, and Damsels
feels dated in that way, but it’s perfectly appropriate for this sun-soaked
narrative of the bizarre and totally delightful.
Stillman,
for those who know him, has been absent on screen since 1998’s The Last Days of Disco, another period
piece of a period not so far away. Damsels
isn’t a period piece, but with its syncopated dialogue, 1950s soundtrack, and
song and dance numbers (oh yes, there is tap) Stillman creates a film that is
very much in its own universe. Or at least everything is seen through the rosy
eyes of the narrative’s protagonists (“The Damsels” as the opening credits
refers to them). The film begins with Greta Gerwig, making her move from
micro-budget mumblecore darling to full-fledged actress, as Violet, the queen
bee leader of a gaggle of girls at the prestigious university. Violet, along
with Heather (Carrie MacLemore, a one-liner machine) and Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke,
confident through every line), hope to make the world a better place by running
a Suicide Prevention Center, though everyone refers to it as the Suicide
Center.
