#807: STILLMAN, Whit: Barcelona (1994)

STILLMAN, Whit (United States)
Barcelona [1994]
Spine #807
Blu-ray

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 similarly preppy but 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 1980s, Barcelona explores topics both heady (American exceptionalism, Cold War foreign policy) and hilarious (the ins and outs of international dating, proper shaving technique) while remaining a constantly witty delight, and features a sharp young cast including Taylor Nichols, Chris Eigeman, and Mira Sorvino.

101 minutes
Color
2.0 Surround
1:85:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2016
Director/Writer


Whit Stillman was 42 when he wrote and directed Barcelona.

Other Stillman films in the Collection:

#326: Metropolitan (1990)
#485: The Last Days Of Disco (1998)

The Film

A

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Ten-page wraparound featuring an essay by film scholar Haden Guest.

Commentary

From 2002 featuring Stillman and actors Eigeman and Nichols.

Video essay

By film critic Farran Smith Nehme about the trilogy made up of Metropolitan, The Last Days of Disco, and Barcelona.

The Making of “Barcelona”

A short documentary from 1994 featuring behind-the-scenes footage and on-set interviews with Stillman and cast members.

Deleted scenes

And alternate ending, with commentary by Stillman, Eigeman, and Nichols.

Appearances

By Stillman on The Dick Cavett Show in 1991 and on the Today show and Charlie Rose in 1994.

Trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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