For those not familiar with the entire filmography of Fred Astaire, "Damsels in Distress is named after his 1937 musical film "A Damsel in Distress." Therefore it is no surprise that our protagonist Violet (played by Greta Gerwig) is obsessed with dance. Her self-proclaimed goal in life is to start an international dance craze in the vein of the Twist or the Charleston. She and her group of friends work at their private university's suicide prevention center, teaching tap dance therapy with the help of a boy nicknamed Freak Astaire. Their other charitable acts include dating idiotic Roman fraternity members and educating them about personal hygiene. The pairing of intelligent, determined but snooty girls with hapless unintelligent boys reminds me of Wodehouse (which makes sense because "A Damsel in Distress" is based on a Wodehouse book). The two events that spurt the bulk of the film's action are a) a new girl joins Violet's group, b) Violet's boyfriend breaks up with her.
The costumes are excellent. According to Kirsten Blomberg, one of the film's two costume designers, she was inspired by Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Indeed Violet's ensembles are very 1950s inspired with feminine full skirted silhouettes and little scarves tied at the neck. Her right hand woman, Rose dresses similarly. Another group member, Heather dresses more modernly, but still with a similar aesthetic. Lily, the new girl, dresses completely unlike them. She is always in jeans, something none of the other girls seldom if ever wear.
(These pictures are mostly from the other costume designer that worked on "Damsels in Distress," Ciera Wells' website.)
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