Review of Damsels in Distress (2012) by Mike C — 29 Sep 2012

Passed this by the first few times I saw trailers. For good reason. Eventually, something about it stuck and so I watched it. Regrettably. Not that it is overly awful, more like a waste of time. If there is a point, I'm not sure I get it (but from reading, not overly sure there is a point. If not for a great casting job and subsequent performances, this would be a complete bust.

Greta Gerwig is annoying. Is she acting? I hope so. It seems I know her/her characters from other movies, but maybe not. Either way, she's perfect is a know-it-all who knows little. Watch for Carrie MacLemore. This is her first major film (loosely described), and she has some potential. Very attractive girl. Played stupid in this, but was again a great cast for someone who mostly charms with the blink of big eyes. Finally, Analeigh Tipton. Read where some are thinking she'd make a great lead in the 50 Shades movies. Not sure I disagree. She is stunningly beautiful in her own way (was on America's Top Model and model is what I think when I look at her). But turns out, she can be an adorable, reasonable college girl as well.

The story just seems to have little purpose or way of getting there. Not a bad premise: attractive college girls who make the decision to date guys who are "below" them. That could be a cool story, eventually reminding us there is a reason things are as is. Instead, Gerwig's character has an odd back story. All the male characters are disturbingly pathetic...a college boy who doesn't know the color of his eyes? Another knows no colors at all? I figured an attempt at something symbolic here but maybe not. As is, it makes for a really weak story because nothing is realistic so little can be learned.