Damsels in Distress

Writer-director Whit Stillman's caustic, episodic comedy—set at Seven Oaks College on the East Coast—revolves around a clique of three well-bred coeds who have perfected vacuous snobbery into a fine art. Scoping out the newbies at orientation, Violet (Greta Gerwig), Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and Heather (Carrie MacLemore) set their sights on lovely transfer student Lily (Analeigh Tipson), offering sincere points on self-improvement while also inviting her to join them as condescending campus do-gooders. In addition to helping her chums dodge unsavory romantic involvements with boorish, unworthy suitors, ringleader Violet is also determined to rescue severely depressed students by offering tap dance therapy at her Suicide Prevention Center. Violet's greatest ambition is to introduce a new dance craze: the Sambola. Note that these delicate damsels are all named after flowers; another part of their mission is to introduce bodily hygiene into a disreputable male dormitory by distributing fragrant soap. Radiating self-confidence, wide-eyed Violet spouts intellectual clichés while maintaining her equilibrium as petty conflicts erupt around her, but Damsels in Distress ultimately feels likes it's built on flimsy whimsy and not much else. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Whit Stillman and the cast, “An Evening with Damsels in Distress” Q&A with Stillman and cast (29 min.), a behind-the-scenes featurette (10 min.), deleted scenes (7 min.), outtakes (6 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a lightweight film.] (S. Granger)