WHIT STILLMAN
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BB.5.
USA, 1994. Barcelona Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, Fine Line Features, Westerly Film, Westerly Films. Screenplay by Whit Stillman. Cinematography by John Thomas. Produced by Whit Stillman. Music by Mark Suozzo. Production Design by Jose Maria Botines. Costume Design by Edi Giguere. Film Editing by Christopher Tellefsen. Independent Spirit Awards 1994.
Whit Stillman’s endless array of convoluted conversations make their way back to the big screen with amiable results. The main plot is of two cousins, a sales representative for an American company in Barcelona and his visiting naval officer cousin, who make their rounds of the dating circuit while casually discussing all means of sexual and governmental politics. The entire film is so intellectually superior and refined that the effect in the end is one of absolute dryness. Still, the amiable cast, which features an early performance by Mira Sorvino, is worth noting here.