Love & Friendship (2016)

Lady Susan Vernon takes up temporary residence at her in-laws' estate and, while there, is determined to be a matchmaker for her daughter Frederica -- and herself too, naturally.

Director:

Whit Stillman

Writers:

Jane Austen (based on her novella "Lady Susan"), Whit Stillman

Stars:

Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel

5 wins & 35 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kate Beckinsale	...	Lady Susan Vernon
Morfydd Clark	...	Frederica Vernon
Tom Bennett	...	Sir James Martin
Jenn Murray	...	Lady Lucy Manwaring
Lochlann O'Mearáin	...	Lord Manwaring (as Lochlann O'Mearain)
Sophie Radermacher	...	Miss Maria Manwaring
Chloë Sevigny	...	Alicia Johnson
Stephen Fry	...	Mr. Johnson
Jordan Waller	...	Edward, Head Footman
Ross Mac Mahon	...	Owen
Frank Prendergast	...	Approaching Gentleman
Xavier Samuel	...	Reginald DeCourcy
Emma Greenwell	...	Catherine DeCourcy Vernon
Justin Edwards	...	Charles Vernon
Kelly Campbell	...	Mrs. Cross

Storyline

Set in the 1790s, Love and Friendship centers on beautiful widow Lady Susan Vernon, who has come to the estate of her in-laws to wait out colorful rumors about her dalliances circulating through polite society. Whilst there, she decides to secure a husband for herself and her rather reluctant debutante daughter, Frederica.

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Plot Keywords:

1790s | friendship | 18th century | period piece | costume drama | 

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Taglines:

Opportunistic, devious, shrewd, calculating, cunning, unprincipled

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Tous publics

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook (US) Official Facebook [UK]

Country:

Ireland France Netherlands

Language:

English French

Release Date:

22 June 2016 (France)

Also Known As:

Amor & Amizade

Filming Locations:

38 North Great George's Street, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$133,513 (USA) (13 May 2016)

Gross:

$14,013,564 (USA) (16 September 2016)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Westerly Films, Blinder Films, Centre National de la Cinématographie et de l'Image Animée

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Amazon Studios acquired the North American rights to the film, and teamed up with Roadside Attractions for its theatrical release. Curzon Artificial Eye handles the film's UK release.

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Goofs

Lady Susan puts perfume in one hand, but smells the other.

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Quotes

Lady Susan Vernon: Americans really have shown themselves to be a nation of ingrates, only by having children can we begin to understand such dynamic.

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Crazy Credits

At the conclusion of the end credits, there is a line encouraging viewers to read the novel, "in which Lady Susan Vernon is thoroughly vindicated."

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Connections

Referenced in The Graham Norton Show: Matt LeBlanc/Emilia Clarke/Kate Beckinsale/Dominic Cooper/Corinne Bailey Rae (2016)

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Soundtracks

March
from "Scipione"
[Lady Susan Arrives at Churchill]
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by The Irish Film Orchestra, Mark Suozzo
(P) 2016 Sony Classical

User Reviews

Beckinsale excels in a comic tale of Girl Power in the 1790's

Set in 1790, Kate Beckinsale plays Lady Susan Vernon, an 18th century cuckoo-like 'MILF' (actually, more 'LILF', but using the 'Lady' term loosely) who with her glamorous demeanour is lusted after by both younger beaus as well as married aristocracy: an example being Lord Manwaring (Lochlann O'Mearáin).

Playing many different ends against the middle, Lady Susan – with the collusion of her American friend Alicia (Chloë Sevigny) – attempts to both find a suitably rich suitor for her daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark) as well as finding a rich husband for herself to allow her to stay in the manor (sic) to which she has become accustomed. A tale of deception, pregnancy and a marriage of convenience follows: does Lady Susan have to choose between her sexual desires and the rich, stupid and dull Sir James Martin (Tom Bennett, "David Brent: Life on the Road"). Or can she have her cake and eat it?

Based on a Jane Austen short story, "Lady Susan", this is a delight from beginning to end. However, it does require the attention of the viewer: characters get introduced to you in rapid fire succession, and keeping track of who's who and how they interrelate is quite a challenge.

But this is a tour de force for Kate "Underworld" Beckinsale who delivers a depth of acting ability that I've not seen from her in the past. Her comic timing is just sublime, and while comedies are often overlooked in Awards season, this is a role for which she richly deserves both BAFTA and Oscar recognition.

Stephen Fry joins what is a superb ensemble cast. But outstanding among them is Tom Bennett who is simply hilarious as the nice but dim Sir James. The comic routine about his misunderstanding of "Churchill" (Church – Hill) – a running gag – is sublime and a challenger (with "Was that it t'were so simple") for the comedy routine of the year.

Directed by Whit Stilman ("The Last Days of Disco") from his own screenplay, this is one for the more sophisticated viewer: requiring of your full attention, but a treat for the eyes, ears and brain.

(For the graphical version of this review please visit http://bob-the- movie-man.com. Thanks.)