Speaking about dialogue heavy films, Whit Stillman’s debut feature is filled with high class witticisms and slick one-liners. Stillman’s NYC is definitely heightened. I want this NYC to exist, I want this world to exist in my current life. If it did, LA would be an ideal city and NYC would finally live to its hype. Twentysomethings wander the streets dressed up in tuxedoes and dresses, then landing in someone’s apartment, discussing literature and film? Yes, please! As if the film knows about its fantasy, it quickly folds in on itself. The most sumptuous person (Nick, played by Chris Eigeman, who is glorious as the smartest and funniest guy in the room) leaves and one by one the girls abandon the group to go back to college (this is Christmas Break, after all) leaving two dueling romantic interests of Audrey (who is now my new dream girl?) fighting to return to their cherished “comedy of manners” style normalcy. Youth is fleeting, might as well kick and scream into adulthood, dragging anyone else we can along.

-William Evans,
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