This film is not for everyone, but if you enjoy drawing room conversation, this is an interesting update on the Regency romance.
Whit Stillman has written a Jane Austen-style social commentary. The genius is that it is set among a very small segment of 1990 society that still lived the same lifestyle as Austen's 1810's heroes and heroines. The debutants and their escorts do nothing but spend a season going to debutante balls, and wittily conversing in drawing rooms afterwards. Austen's loving satirical look at her own narrow social world has been updated to the equally narrow circumstances of the film's society youth. The cast represents a small microcosm of 'types', all presented with equal parts affection and satire. They know their little universe is dissolving, but it is more to be objectively discussed than acted upon and is given no more weight than discussions of 18th c literature and philosophy.
The cast were all unknowns, many of whom did little other film work afterwards. Much of the focus is on Edward Clements' rather naïve Tom. In "reduced circumstances", he outwardly professes to reject the lifestyle of balls, but easily fits in with the group given the opportunity. Even his brand of socialism is based on an 18th c writer, rather than modern circumstances. His chief characteristic is that he consistently misreads everyone else, even his own father. Unfortunately, the clueless Tom is hard to really care about. Other characters are far more relatable. Unknown to Tom, his continued access to the small and exclusive group is because of the crush on him held by Carolyn Farina's Audrey. Audrey is openly a fan of Jane Austen and lives her life in the style of an Austen heroine. Although shy and quiet, you can still feel for her. The most memorable character is Chris Eigeman's Nick. Outwardly humorously cynical, he actually cares about others more deeply than his friends. Eigeman draws the eye whenever he is on screen.
If you enjoy intelligent dialogue, and can enjoy a film without any action or suspense, you will find this a worthwhile film to watch.
Whit Stillman has written a Jane Austen-style social commentary. The genius is that it is set among a very small segment of 1990 society that still lived the same lifestyle as Austen's 1810's heroes and heroines. The debutants and their escorts do nothing but spend a season going to debutante balls, and wittily conversing in drawing rooms afterwards. Austen's loving satirical look at her own narrow social world has been updated to the equally narrow circumstances of the film's society youth. The cast represents a small microcosm of 'types', all presented with equal parts affection and satire. They know their little universe is dissolving, but it is more to be objectively discussed than acted upon and is given no more weight than discussions of 18th c literature and philosophy.
The cast were all unknowns, many of whom did little other film work afterwards. Much of the focus is on Edward Clements' rather naïve Tom. In "reduced circumstances", he outwardly professes to reject the lifestyle of balls, but easily fits in with the group given the opportunity. Even his brand of socialism is based on an 18th c writer, rather than modern circumstances. His chief characteristic is that he consistently misreads everyone else, even his own father. Unfortunately, the clueless Tom is hard to really care about. Other characters are far more relatable. Unknown to Tom, his continued access to the small and exclusive group is because of the crush on him held by Carolyn Farina's Audrey. Audrey is openly a fan of Jane Austen and lives her life in the style of an Austen heroine. Although shy and quiet, you can still feel for her. The most memorable character is Chris Eigeman's Nick. Outwardly humorously cynical, he actually cares about others more deeply than his friends. Eigeman draws the eye whenever he is on screen.
If you enjoy intelligent dialogue, and can enjoy a film without any action or suspense, you will find this a worthwhile film to watch.