Harry called me the other night to a) [redacted], b) apologize, and c) marvel at the nifty selection of feature films available for online viewing at Hulu.com. I'm very close to a purist when it comes to screening movies (i.e. first time around, I prefer to see everything projected), but I also realize that we're passing into a new era where most of y'all are quite comfortable with watching movies on small-ish screens. Obviously, some films demand the big-screen presentation (e.g. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, 2001, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST), but I'm beginning to think it may not be a violation of American motherhood to get acquainted with an intimate and witty masterpiece along the lines of Whit Stillman's METROPOLITAN on a service like Hulu.
(Digression: One of the talk backers assaulted me today with a survey through which he hoped to ascertain... whether or not I knew the first thing about cinema, I guess. This made me realize that a lot of you either missed or cheerfully ignored my initial stint at AICN. Frankly, this is a relief; the De Palma thing is always such a fucking hurdle. Still, I'd like to connect with you. And I'd like to begin by asking you to watch METROPOLITAN via Hulu. When you get a chance. No rush or nothin'.)
Stillman's debut picture, shot on an ultra low budget back in 1989 (and completed thanks to partial financing from PBS' AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE), is a class-conscious comedy set within the world of Manhattan dubutante parties, and it's proof positive that, when it comes to indie filmmaking, wit and ingenuity will out. Stillman didn't have the budget to shoot take after take with his young, inexperienced actors, and he had to catch exteriors on the fly, but the dialogue and situations more than make up for the rough edges. It's an irresistible melding of Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse and Woody Allen. And if you're wondering why Gen X-ers get all excited every time Chris Eigeman turns up in some random independent movie, the legend begins with METROPOLITAN.
I was going to reprint a portion of a DVD review I wrote for Collider.com a couple of years ago, but it's MIA. Actually, it's probably better if you just fire up METROPOLITAN knowing as little as possible. This is the kind of movie that works best when it sneaks up on you. It may not be be to everyone's liking, but for a certain segment of our readership, I'm quite confident this is one of those movies you'll be quoting ceaselessly as you finish out high school and head into college.
