In no particular order, here are 12 Scenes of Christmas From Whit Stillman’s Metropolitan (now PLAYING in Paris):
In no particular order, here are 12 Scenes of Christmas From Whit Stillman’s Metropolitan (now PLAYING in Paris):
Here are some Live Tweets written by Taylor Nichols & Isabel Gillies, from the Whit Stillman night on TCM:
I was one of those 800 who showed up at the open call audition from Back Stage. So packed, I almost split. #TCMParty, #metropolitan
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
John Thomas was the DP. He said the color scheme was Black, White and Gold. I think he got it right.
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
Actually the discreet charm of the bourgeoise is a pretty good film… #TCMParty, #metropolitan
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
The whole film was shot in 28 days, or should I say nights. We were exhausted by the end. Shooting all night, I even waited tables during…
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
They were yelling to stop filming as we shot Chris walking down the train platform. But Chris kept walking and JT kept filming. #TCMParty
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
The Cabbie in this scene was also with me in "Norma Jean and Marilyn," with Mira Sorvino. Good to see him again. #TCMParty, #Barcelona
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
I met my future wife on this film. So I have Whit to thank for my wife and kids. That's why I'm letting him cover College tuition. #TCMParty
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
We shot this is a great/famous Barcelona restaurant Giardinetto on La Garnada. #Poldo Pomes, #TCMParty, #Giardinetto
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
John Thomas shot Barcelona and Metropolitan. He is a real star, shot Sex and the City. Fun to work with. @Johnthomas, #TCMParty, #Barcelona
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
Chris Tellefsen edited Barcelona as well, beautiful work. Plus he gave Chris and me his apt. in BCN. A real mench. #MoneyBall. #TCMParty…
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
Best scene in the film.. "What's above the subtext? The text. That's right, but no one ever talks about that." So true. #TCMParty
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
Brother of the bride is Edmon Roch. Producer extraordinaire in Spain and all around wonderful guy. A prod. on this and Damsels. #TCMParty
— Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) September 29, 2014
My mother couldn't remember her lines. Not an actress. She was a trooper and read from a card. #Metropolitan
— Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) September 29, 2014
Oh the time when kids used real telephones. Miss those days.
— Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) September 29, 2014
Do you remember how COLD it was @Taylor_Nichols7?
— Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) September 29, 2014
I really smacked him the second time! #Metropolitan
— Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) September 29, 2014
Cynthia told the truth & that's why I loved her. @Taylor_Nichols7 helped me figure that out while we figured out the script. #METROPOLITAN
— Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) September 29, 2014
He was a real cadet. #METROPOLITAN
— Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) September 29, 2014
I was in my freshman year at RISD when we shot this. I went back and forth to Providence, sometimes in one day. #METROPOLITAN
— Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) September 29, 2014
We had no idea WHAT would happen with this movie. It was before independent movies had a real place in the world. #METROPOLITAN
— Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) September 29, 2014
I think that cab driver said "Shit" off the cuff. Whit never swears. #Metropolitan #TCMParty @Taylor_Nichols7
— Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) September 29, 2014
The very talented actors Taylor Nichols (@Taylor_Nichols7) and Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) live tweeted Metropolitan. Now Taylor Nichols is live tweeting Barcelona. Please Tune in now for Whit Stillman’s Barcelona on TCM. You can still get their insights by checking out their twitter pages.
John Teti at the A.V. Club writes an article on how Metropolitan is a great “hang-out movie.”
A great hangout movie doesn’t lack plot—it’s liberated from plot. When you remove the obligation to keep a story moving, a skilled director can allow characters to explore unresolvable questions. Metropolitan is an exemplar of this tricky form.
The Sally Fowler Rat Pack—named for the upper crust kid whose parents’ apartment is the venue for these chatty all-nighters—may be a bunch of rich kids, but they’re highly aware of their privilege. Still, even if they reject the snobby rituals they’re expected to perform, nobody offers a convincing replacement. Marxism? Cynicism? Fatalism? They try ideas on for size, like a meaning-of-life dress fitting.
They cling to the traditions of the Christmas debutante season, because they’re unsure about what happens next. And Metropolitan never provides the kids with a clear resolution, because it’s too much fun to watch them cast about for answers.