Has it really been 14 years since writer-director Whit Stillman's last movie? The Last Days of Disco was released in 1998, which had followed Metropolitan (1990) and Barcelona (1994), each film in its own way satisfying the world's desire to see anxious "preppies and patricians" fall in and out of love. Now, at last, his fourth effort, Damsels in Distress, is being released and you have the chance to attend a sneak preview attended by Stillman, who loves writing at Dunkin Donuts.
The Film Society of Lincoln Center is screening Damsels in Distress on April 3rd at 8:30 p.m. The Society describes it thus: "Set on the leafy campus of fictional Seven Oaks University, Damsels in Distress follows a trio of beautiful, slightly delusional female students—the dynamic leader Violet Wister (Greta Gerwig), principled Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (Carrie MacLemore)—who set out to make the world a better place by running a suicide prevention center where tap dancing and perfume are proffered as conduits to happiness." Stillman's fourth feature also features an enchanting performance by the luminous Analeigh Tipton. After seeing it at the Toronto Film Festival last year, Variety deemed it an "utter delight" and like a "vintage screwball comedy minus the pratfalls." Here's a trailer:
Film Society of Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theater (165 W. 65th Street) // April 3, 8:30 p.m. // Tickets $20 ($15 for members)
And here's the memorable, if sentimental, last scene from The Last Days of Disco:
