Film Review: Damsels in Distress

Whit Stillman’s Damsels in Distress is a treat. The film is frequently amusing as it satirises the American college movie.

When Lily begins to study at the Seven Oaks college campus, she is welcomed by Violet, Rose and Heather. The three girls see it as their mission to rescue their fellow students from low standards. In the male-dominated campus, Violet, Rose and Heather have their work cut for them…

The humour of Damsels in Distress will not appeal universally.  The film is off beat, and the comedy matches this. Some will find the repetitive phrases amusing, for example, while others will consider them tiresome. The interactions between the main and supporting characters are well written, and generate several laughs.

Based around a new member entertaining an existing group of friends, Damsels in Distress functions in a similar way to the type of film it satirises. Damsels features the stock characters of a college-set film, with the addition of Violet. She acts in a narrator type role, offering judgements on the other characters. These serve to highlight her own peculiarities.

There are definite parallels between Damsels in Distress and Mean Girls. Violet fulfils the Regina George role, albeit with less viciousness. Violet and Lily in particular excel past these stereotypes into well-developed characters. Damsels in Distress ponders on the social structure of the American college, but ultimately plumps for fun and quirk rather than a definitive statement. Stillman’s film is also reminiscent of Heathers in that it is focused on social hierarchy and teen preoccupations with a dose of humour and satire.

Greta Gerwig is great as Violet. Gerwig really embodies the quirks of the character. Analeigh Tipton is also good as Lily, while Adam Brody brings his accustomed charm to the character of Charlie. Ryan Metcalf stands out as Frank, among the supporting roles.

Damsels in Distress is well written, well directed, and frequently funny. The dance craze tangent of the film is joyous.

Film Review: Chalet Girl

It may not transcend age boundaries in the same way as Mean Girls, but Chalet Girl is still a fun teen movie. With its mix of comedy, romance and drama, the film’s intended audience should not be disappointed.

Kim is stuck in a rut working in a fast-food restaurant in London. When she is offered the job of a chalet girl, she is reluctant to leave her undomesticated father. After taking a leap of faith, Kim is thrust into a world of snowboarding, posh girls and attractive young men…

Chalet Girl is a fun piece of fluff that does not take itself too seriously. The film deals with the usual teenage concerns, and is quite predictable as a result. Nevertheless, Chalet Girl provides a fun journey to its inevitable conclusion. The pacing is good; director Phil Traill never allows the film to drag.

The humour in Chalet Girl will most likely appeal to younger audience members. There are plenty of sight gags, in keeping with skiing theme. Similarly, the romance storyline features all the trials and tribulations of a teen love story. Although it is clear from the outset what the end result will be, there are plenty of bumps along the way.

The characters featured in Chalet Girl are fairly archetypal for this type of teen romantic comedy. Kim is the fish out of water in a world filled with the luxuries of the wealthy. In being ordinary, Kim is a character that most will be able to relate to. She is depicted as being down to earth, a contrast to other chalet girls such as Georgie. The film features a scene where Kim goes for a job interview, competing with young ladies who are well-spoken and immaculate. This sequence does well to emphasise the class difference present in the film, as well as providing humour.

Most refreshing in Chalet Girl is that Kim’s gender is not an issue in pursuing the sport she enjoys. Although Chalet Girl shares a number of parallels with Bend It Like Beckham, thankfully the film is not preoccupied with overcoming obstacles because the protagonist is female. Rather, Kim is able to pursue her interest in snowboarding without it being considered solely a sport for men.

Felicity Jones is bright and well cast as Kim. She portrays the character’s commonness well, particularly in contrast to Tamsin Egerton’s glamorous Georgie. Ed Westwick as Jonny will no doubt pull in Gossip Girl fans, while UK film stalwarts such as Bill Nighy should ensure interest from British audiences.

Chalet Girl may not be an awards contender, but it is still enjoyable stuff. Although the film will primarily appeal to a young teen audience, adults should also find the mindless entertainment fun.

Film Review: Easy A

Easy A is a witty film that both replicates and parodies teen movie conventions. Although it does not reach the higher echelons of the likes of Mean Girls, it is fun and inventive nevertheless.

When Olive is overheard telling her friend Rhiannon about losing her virginity, the rumour spreads around high school like wildfire. Although the story isn’t true, Olive begins to enjoy the notoriety of being the school slut. Olive’s life, however, begins to resemble that of Hester Prynne’s in The Scarlet Letter, the book she is studying at school…

Stripped back to its narrative basics, Easy A trends a familiar path in teen movie terrain. While it is concerned with social standing and romance like most other films in the genre, Easy A turns convention on its head somewhat by having a female protagonist who actively encourages rumours about her promiscuity. Rather than shy away or be mortified at the gossip, Olive uses it to her advantage, benefiting financially and in social standing.

Easy A is very witty, but not laugh-out-loud hilarious. The film elevates itself above many of its peers by overtly referencing the 1980s teen films (and John Hughes in particular) that clearly have influenced writer Bert V. Royal. Thus, Easy A does not just feature elements of 1980s teen films, but also actively make reference to them. Most evident of these is Say Anything, which is paid a delightful homage by Easy A.

Olive is an amiable protagonist who uses her wit to deflect the hostility of her classmates. It is clear from the interactions with her family that she is a smart and well-balanced girl, which makes her easy to relate to. Elsewhere, Easy A features some teen movie stereotypes like the holier-than-thou Marianne, as well as characters that defy the archetypes, such as teacher Mrs Griffith.

Emma Stone is incredibly likeable as Olive, and proves she has the talent to headline a film. Stanley Tucci gives an amusing turn as her unconventional father. Amanda Bynes seems aptly cast as mean girl Marianne, while Penn Badgley remains untested as Todd, a character very similar to the role he plays on Gossip Girl.

Production values are good, with Olive’s webcam narration appearing entirely appropriate given the context. Director Will Gluck shows a flair for the teen film; offering the audience what they expect, with a little innovation and plenty of one-liners.

Easy A may not be raucously funny, but it is a cut above many other teen films of the last decade. Highly recommended for fans of this genre.