Idiosyncratic savant. That’s how I’d describe film- maker Whit Stillman.

From his feature film debut, METROPOLITAN to his fourth and latest film DAMSELS IN DISTRESS, I have been a fan. Original, audacious and always Whit-smart, Stillman’s movies are stars that inhabit the same firmament as Woody Allen and Hal Hartley.

This latest masterpiece –his first this century – has the ace advantage of having that living droll, Greta Gerwig, deliver in delirious deadpan Whit’s delicious dialogue.

Greta plays Violet, leader of a sub sorority consisting of Rose and Heather, who take transfer student Lily under their wing.
The girls introduce Lily to their main activity, running the university’s “Suicide Prevention Centre” where a regime of donuts, good coffee, and musical dance numbers are intended to distract severely depressed and suicidal students from self-destruction. Indeed, it is Violet’s primary ambition to create a new dance craze that will take its place beside The Charleston and The Twist. “Yes. Something that might enhance the life of every one — and every couple”.

Megalyn Echikunwoke as Rose is acerbic, articulate and astute, suspicious of the male gender considering them to be either infantile or playboy operators.

Carrie MacLemore is Heather, a daffy, ditzy dame whose lack of general knowledge is matched only by the colour blind jock, Thor, whom she adores.

Lily is played by Analeigh Tipton, so gloriously captivating as Steve Carrel’s secret admirer in CRAZY, STUPID LOVE last year and equally spellbinding here.

DAMSLS IN DISTRESS is the cream of campus comedy, with a quartet of captivating leads, surrounded by a stellar supporting cast, fuelled by a fantastically funny script.

© Richard Cotter

15th September, 2012

Tags: Sydney Movie Reviews- DAMSELS IN DISTRESS, Whit Stillman, Whit Stillman, Greta Gerwig, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie Maclemore, Analeigh Tipton, Sydney Arts Guide, Richard Cotter