Yes, No, Maybe So: Damsels in Distress
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 9:50PM Whit Stillman hasn't made a movie in 14 years. I remember loving his first, Metropolitan (1990), when it arrived. So did most critics. It's not so frequently discussed today but it was a big enough deal at the time to win him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. He had such a fresh sophisticated voice. So I was delighted to see that the star of his "comeback" (if such a thing occurs) is an actress with a fresh comic voice, Greta Gerwig.
And not so delighted to see the Woody Allen reference right up front. It's not that I don't adore Woody but, as his endless parade of proxy protagonists proved, one Woody is enough. Whit's voice is a unique one. I hate to see unique voices shoved into tiny comparative boxes and hopefully he hasn't lost it in the 14 years since his last feature The Last Days of Disco (1998)
Let's break down the trailer with our yes, no, maybe so system.
YES
- Whit Stillman is back
- Greta Gerwig was superbly authentic, touching and funny in Greenberg () but her off kilter whimsy got lost and was wasted on Arthur. Stillman might know what to do with her.
- Aubrey Plaza is super super fun in short doses in everything from Parks and Recreation to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
- Movies about gaggles of girls navigating college life and love led by a know it all who might not know it all or at least not very much about? Sounds ripe for comic pathos.
- Tap dancing! Better yet... More than one musical sequence.
NO
- "Frank", Gerwig's man, seems a little empty as a character in this two minute glimpse. Will all the men be too caricatured?
We're also trying to make a difference in people's lives and one way to do that is stop them from killing themselves."
-You're worried I'll kill myself and make you look bad?
-No, I'm worried you'll kill yourself and make yourself look bad."
MAYBE SO
- There are three suicide jokes in this trailer. It's obviously a plot thread or even a full on plot. And that's a lot for one film too handle. I've met so many crazy people who hate Heathers because it dared to laugh at something that's no laughing matter.
- Aubrey Plaza is super fun in short doses but is she a major character and if so is she fun in large doses?
- Gerwig's delivery and the overall tone seems very arch and that could be hard to pull off in a full length feature.
The Trailer
- Are you a yes, no or maybe so?
- Do you prefer the phrase "I'm depressed" or "I'm in a tailspin"?
I was going to ask you if you considered tap dancing highly effective therapy but... duh! That goes without saying.
Reader Comments (15)
I want to see this.
that british girl says operator the same way jenna maroney says camera
The pedigree and premise are a yes, but that trailer is a no. So I guess that makes me a maybe.
Looks very good! I haven't seen "Metropolitan", but I do love "The Last Days of Disco". Greta Gerwig is the modern day Chloe Sevigny, no?
This movie is much funnier than the trailer. It was actually one of my favorites at Toronto last fall. Stillman didn't seem to have an ending to the film but at least he leaves the audience smiling. Highly recommended.
It's a Stillman film, so a BIG FAT YES!
Yes, yes!!! Can't wait for this! And Aubrey Plaza (aka my future wife) is always super fun, Nathaniel.
Is that Analeigh from America's Next Top Model?
large doses of Aubrey Plaza would be greatly appreciated...love her
par3182: Just hearing the words "Playboy or operator type" send me into fits of giggles; after seeing this film, you'll understand why
Tyler: Yes it is, and she's very, very good in it.
jjablo: Unfortunately, Aubrey's not in it that much. She has a bit more to do, but not all that much.
Nathaniel: There are a number of men (the Damsels' 'Distress', as the trailer points out) and while none of them are caricatures, some of them could use a little bit more shading. The suicide thing is a running plot, but it's not as in-your-face as something like Heathers (which I don't like, but not because of its focus on suicide). Gerwig will alienate some people but others will fall completely in love with her. You're probably not going to know which person you are until you see the film, though!
In other words, I'm a big YES! Saw it twice at the London Film Festival (where it was a really good Surprise Film) and can't wait to see it again. It's not perfect by any means, but it's really funny in an eccentric/odd sort of way.
This actually looks pretty funny (I laughed quite a few times at those line readings) and Whit Stillman has been a curio for me the past week, coincidentally. I need to sit myself down and actually give his films a go. The clips that I saw of Last Days of Disco looked like my type of comedy so I'm rather anxious now.
Damn, 14 years though?
The cast looks pretty solid, IWBH.
par3182 - CAMER-RUAAH
I'm feeling a YES -- looks like Greta Gerwig has a real opportunity to carry the show. Plus, feels refreshing and won't take itself too seriously..can't wait to get some light fun in the theaters!
p.s. Thanks Nathaniel!
Gerwig is wonderful in the film.
What HAS Whit Stillman been doing for 14 years? I remember thinking Metropolitan was the start of a truly brilliant career. I think I even have it on VHS somewhere.