Title: Love & Friendship
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Whit Stillman
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

What It Is: Based on a Jane Austen novella “Lady Susan” this comedy tells of Lady Susan Vernon (Beckinsale) a widow looking for a new fortune. When she happens upon Reginald DeCourcy (Samuel) a young, handsome landowners son she has her eyes set on him. Though not firmly because in reality she is infatuated by the married Lord Manwaring. As Lady Susan sets up dominoes everything starts to fall and with it all the plans Lady Susan was working with. As she anticipated however her final moves may lead to her finally securing the legacy she so desperately wants.

What We Think: It is an unbelievably stuffy though surprisingly light comedy. Beckinsale shines as Lady Susan and for all intents and purposes this should not be something I even remotely enjoy. To that point I enjoyed this film more than I though I would. Susan comes off as charming. Sevigny nails her part as Susan’s American best friend. The dialogue is fast-paced and well enough. I did have an issue with the general attitude of it all. I think the pacing was off a bit. It was dodgy and slow.

Our Grade: C, It’s enjoyable but all together not my style. It isn’t a bad movie, it certainly is not deserving of the praise being heaped upon it. Not from where I stand. Where Pride and Prejudice makes Austen interesting this little known novellas adaptation does not succeed. Perhaps it is the reason things like Downton Abbey don’t resonant with me. Either way fans of this genre will definitely enjoy this piece so for that it will get my modest of recommendations. If only because I didn’t fall asleep in this.