Criterion Close-Up – Episode 41 – Barcelona and Whit Stillman

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.

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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