Any doubts that Jane Austen’s novels and Hollywood’s screwball comedies are close cousins is erased by “Love &Friendship,” a dryly delightful experience.
There aren’t many pratfalls in this film, but its speed and ever-growing complications are truly dizzying. It’s based on Austen’s novella “Lady Susan,” adapted by Whit Stillman, the droll creator of “The Last Days of Disco” and “Damsels in Distress.”
Lady Susan is a piece of work. Conniving, calculating, and cheerfully freeloading, she manipulates others for her own amusement — but also her survival. As a recently widowed woman at the end of the 18th century, perhaps this is her best option.
She is played by Kate Beckinsale, who is so precise and lethal in the role that you wonder how many good performances she might have given if she hadn’t gotten mired in the “Underworld” movies.
Essentially homeless and needing to execute some profitable schemes, Lady Susan barges in on relatives. She is quick to say that any question of her paying for her upkeep “would be offensive to us both,” so that settles that.
She turns her beauty on a younger man (Xavier Samuel), who is basically helpless against her onslaught of charm. Meanwhile, she tries to match her daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark) with a wealthy doofus (hilarious turn by Tom Bennett) whose money could keep the family in clover.
Lady Susan has a confidante, an American named Alicia Johnson (Chloe Sevigny, Beckinsale’s “Last Days of Disco” co-star). Their views of humanity are similar; Alicia is impatiently waiting for her older husband (Stephen Fry) to succumb to his ailments.
Some period films are designed to be comfy, overstuffed pillows. But “Downton Abbey” fans looking for cozy fun might be surprised by Lady Susan’s methods. Yes, “Love &Friendship” has period trappings, but it uses a scalpel to make its points.
And you really have to watch — and listen — to this movie. It’s a series of scenes of people talking in rooms, but the dialogue is so ingeniously crafted it requires close attention. If your attention wanders for a second, you’ll miss a key plot point.
Stillman’s previous films were about manners and friendship, which makes him an ideal Austen adapter. Most importantly, he’s funny. The plot here could be played for drama, but that wouldn’t fit the stylish mode of Lady Susan. And she will have her way.
“Love &Friendship” HHH ½ stars
Whit Stillman brings his droll touch to an adaptation of a Jane Austen novella. Kate Beckinsale shines as a widow who manipulates those around her, a process tracked with surgical precision (but very funny results).
Rating: PG, for subject matter
Showing: Alderwood Mall, Meridian
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