Oh goody, another disco movie. Correction: that should be oh goody, another Whit Stillman movie - the New York independent director has already impressed with his erudite twentysomething comedy-dramas, Metropolitan and Barcelona.
The initial worry aroused by the title - that he's cheapened himself withnostalgia this time round - is soon put to rest. The dying days of disco in New York in the early 80s are merely the backdrop for the sort of enjoyable, natter-heavy, plot-light story that marked Stillman's earlier efforts. It's made all the more engaging by the sparky performances of his young ensemble - especially an accent-perfect Beckinsale as the fabulously bitchy Charlotte and Sevigny as her sullen but smart best friend Alice.
Around them congregate assorted friends of assorted neuroses with their world centring on "the club," a thinly disguised Studio 54.
Along the way there are dramas major and minor about sex, love, flatting and careers, much finely honed witty dialogue showing a self-awareness unusual for the times, as well as one hilarious discourse on The Lady and the Tramp.
The characters - proto-yuppies all - might initially irritate and their sheer number can be a lot to take in. But you can't help but warm to them by the time the credits roll.
Disco movie or not, Stillman certainly shows an affection for the times without playing pop-culture archaeologist. "Funky" is not a word you could have used to describe his previous films but with the Chic-heavy soundtrack this is certainly that. The result is a toe-tapper which keeps both funnybone and frontal lobe fully engaged.* * * * - Russell Baillie, Weekend TimeOut
