Metropolitan (1990)
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Synopsis: A chronicle of the social scene of a group of young Park Avenue socialites and their vanishing debutante scene. Into thier midst comes an outsider, a radical from the socially alien west side. But, because of an escort shortage he is welcomed into their group by the dominant, arrogant leader... A chronicle of the social scene of a group of young Park Avenue socialites and their vanishing debutante scene. Into thier midst comes an outsider, a radical from the socially alien west side. But, because of an escort shortage he is welcomed into their group by the dominant, arrogant leader and his charming girlfriend. Academy Award Nominations: Best (Original) Screenplay. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Edward Clements, Chris Eigeman, Carolyn Farina, Isabel Gillies, Will Kempe
DVD Info
Release:
Feb 14, 2006
DVD Features:
- Keep Case
- Widescreen - 1.66
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Stereo - English
- Subtitles - English - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - 1. Whit Stillman, Christopher Tellefsen, Chris Eigeman - Director, Editor, Actor
- Deleted Scenes
- Outtakes
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Text - 1. Essay - Luc Sante, author and film scholar
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
Whit Stillman's crafty independent feature about wealthy Park Avenue teenagers and a middle-class boy who joins their ranks over one Christmas vacation is certainly well imagined, and impressively acted by a cast of newcomers.
As low-budget as the film looks, Stillman overcomes financial limitations by providing a learned script and eliciting polished performances.
It's the beautifully chiselled dialogue -- counterpointed by near-static camerawork and a nicely mannered acting style -- that remains the chief attraction.
Filmmaker Whit Stillman makes a strikingly original debut with Metropolitan, a glib, ironic portrait of the vulnerable young heirs to Manhattan's disappearing debutante scene.
Stillman's film depends on strong dialogue and language, his humor is submerged in the text and is played deadpan by his actors; no wonder some critics have compared him to the Gallic Eric Rohmer
None of Stillman’s endearing characters quite fits their prescribed social context, and in its exhilarated final movement, Metropolitan finds an exit out of the stifling UHB salon.
...Stillman's vision and words last as memory, as a look back at a more innocent time, as a thought stretched luxuriously into sarcasm, some cynicism, and many simple and sublime moments.
has the humor, warmth, and satirical edge to make it a tragically forgotten classic
Stillman is a careful observer with an obvious love of language, and his wonderful, fresh cast handles the script with ease, conveying just the right measure of deadpan, jejune super-seriousness.
One of the few films that successfully makes the East Coast upper class sympathetic. Stillman is current cinema's one true wit.
Metropolitan is not for everyone; but that is not a mark of shame or condemnation.
On a technical level, this is an amazingly slick film. Stillman knows how to, as they say, put every dollar on the screen. And on balance, he's certainly a filmmaker to watch for in the future.

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