About this episode
Mark and Aaron take a look at Whit Stillman’s Barcelona (1994), and how it compares with his other work. We focus most on his other two films from the 1990s, Metropolitan (1990) and Last Days of Disco (1998), but we also discuss his most recent effort, Love and Friendship . About the film : Whit Stillman followed his delightful indie breakthrough Metropolitan with another clever and garrulous comedy of manners, this one with a darker edge. A pair of preppy yet constitutionally mismatched American cousins—a salesman and a navy officer—argue about romance and politics while working in the beautiful Spanish city of the film’s title. Set during the eighties, Barcelona explores topics both heady (American exceptionalism, Cold War foreign policy) and hilarious (the ins and outs of international dating, the proper shaving method) while remaining a constantly witty delight, featuring a sharp young cast that includes Taylor Nichols, Chris Eigeman, and Mira Sorvino. Buy The Films On Amazon : Episode Links & Notes 0:00 – Intro and Welcome 4:25 – Podcastings 10:00 – Upcoming Series Announcement 13:20 – Short Takes (The Lobster, Love & Friendship) 33:00 – Barcelona and Whit Stillman Aaron’s Top 100 Sci-Fi Films Tim Leggoe’s Top 50 Sci-Fi Films Criterion Cast Chronicles: Episode 4 Wrong Reel: Three Colors Trilogy First Time Watchers: Mon Oncle Criterion Chronicles: Episode 3 (with Barcelona) Episode Credits Mark Hurne: Twitter | Letterboxd Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email Next time on the podcast : Music and Film