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:

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

Stars:

Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel

7 wins & 51 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 (as Jordan S. Waller)
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:

Based on Jane Austen's comic gem

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was shot in 26 days.

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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

Love Will Find Out The way
(Traditional)
[End Montage]
Performed by The Irish Film Orchestra, Mark Suozzo
(P) 2016 Sony Classical

User Reviews

Austen rocks

Greetings again from the darkness. Jane Austen ROCKS! Sure, that might be a slightly exaggerated description of the writer who passed away almost two hundred years ago, and is known for such subtle and nuanced work as "Sense and Sensibility" and "Emma". But it's difficult to argue the fact that Ms. Austen's 2016 is off to an impressive start. First came Burr Steers' highly creative and entertaining "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", and now Whit Stillman delivers a cracking version of her (apparently) unfinished novella "Lady Susan".

Thanks to the standout performance from Kate Beckinsale, and the manner in which words from Austen and Stillman go zipping by (sometimes honestly, sometimes not), this is one fun and briskly-paced romp … more descriptions not typically associated with the prim Ms. Austen. Ms. Beckinsale as Lady Susan Vernon flashes spunk and comedic timing that we have not previously seen from her. She fits marvelously in the dress of the late 1700's, while packing a diabolical and manipulative nature more often displayed in contemporary settings.

The supporting cast seems to be having a marvelous time. Chloe Sevigny is Alicia, Lady Susan's confidant and gossip buddy … and one whose husband (Stephen Fry) continually threatens to ship back to Connecticut (as if it were the coal mines or outback). Emma Greenwell is Catherine DeCourcy Vernon, adversary and sister-in-law to Lady Susan, and Mofryd Clark plays Frederica, Susan's somewhat mousy and inconvenient daughter.

Though the women are standouts here, the men hold their own. Xavier Samuel is Reginald DeCourcy, the somewhat naïve and susceptible-to-advances-from-Susan young man, and Tom Bennett manages to steal most every scene as the quite silly and funny (and wealthy) Sir James Martin. Adding their own special touches are James Fleet and Jemma Redgrave as Sir Reginald DeCourcy and Lady DeCourcy, respectively; and Jenn Murray as Lord Manwaring … one of three suitors to Lady Susan.

This spoof/parody will strike a chord for anyone accustomed to the uptight nature of most period pieces, as well as the importance of status, decorum and the corresponding insecurities (a weakness the cunning Lady Susan will most certainly seize upon). Mr. Stillman (Damsels in Distress, The Last Days of Disco) is an immensely talented writer, and certainly a welcome complement Ms. Austen's posthumously published work. It's a deliciously funny and intricate story that features such quips of gold as "Facts are horrible things." Welcome to the zany verbal barrages of Lady Susan, Whit Stillman and Jane Austen. Yep … zany and Jane Austen in the same sentence. I told you she ROCKS!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook (US) Official Facebook [UK]

Country:

Ireland France Netherlands

Language:

English French

Release Date:

3 June 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lady Susan

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$133,513, 15 May 2016

Gross USA:

$14,016,568

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,401,949

Company Credits

Production Co:

Westerly Films, Blinder Films, Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1