Love & Friendship

"Facts are horrid things."

Since the death of her husband, Lady Susan Vernon (Beckinsale) has been staying with friends.  But after scandalous rumors circulate, she flees to her in-law's house.  Her brother-in-law, Charles (Edwards) is welcoming, but his wife Catherine (Greenwell) hates Lady Susan.  Lady Susan is bored with life on the estate and decides to find husbands for herself and her daughter Frederica (Clark).

Her pick for Frederica is the super wealthy but simple, Sir James Martin (Bennett).  Frederica has no interest in Sir James, despite her mother's best efforts.  Lady Susan turns her attention to Catherine's handsome brother Sir Reginald DeCourcy (Fleet).  With a little help from her American friend Alicia Johnson (Sevigny), can she get everything she wants?


The film is based on Jane Austen's epistolary novel "Lady Susan."  Austen wrote the novel, but it was not published until 1871 (50 years after Austen's death).  The novel is only 80 pages long and is not as well known as Austen's other published novels.  Prior to this film, I was not aware of the novel and added it to the list of novels I want to read.  The title of this film is taken from another of Austen's novels.

Director Whit Stillman made smart casting choices, and wrote a stellar screenplay.  The film moves at a decent pace and is much funnier than other film adaptations of Austen's novels.  In many ways it feels like a satire of British films, and it works well.  This is not the typical Austen adaptation.  A few times throughout the film, the words appear on screen (often to highlight a point).

Kate Beckinsale is great in the role of Lady Susan.  She is a cunning character and it is fun to watch her work.  She is the most interesting character at all times, and you can't wait to see how she will manipulate the situation her way.  The other standout is Tom Bennett as Sir James Martin.  From the first moment he is on screen, you can't help but laugh at his character.  In fact, his lines received the biggest laughs at the showing I attended.  The rest of the cast is good as well and game for everything that is thrown their way.  The costumes are beautiful, as is the music.

An entertaining film with a great cast, definitely worth checking out.

Love & Friendship (2016) 92 minutes
Director: Whit Stillman
Starring:Kate Beckinsale as Lady Susan Vernon
Chloe Sevigny as Alicia Johnson
Xavier Samuel as Reginald DeCourcy
Stephen Fry as Mr. Johnson
Emma Greenwell as Catherine Vernon
Morfydd Clark as Frederica Vernon
James Fleet as Sir Reginald DeCourcy
Jemma Redgrave as Lacy DeCourcy
Tom Bennett as Sir James Martin
Justin Edwards as Charles Vernon
Jenn Murray as Lady Lucy Manwaring