Whit Stillman's Love & Friendship is a tale featured around the cunning and manipulative Lady Susan Vernon, who has just arrived on the grounds of her in-laws. Intent on waiting out the rumors and gossip about her that are sure to be spreading throughout "high society" after her husband's death, Susan makes herself at home at the grand estate, scouring the landscape for a new husband for herself, as well as a future one for Frederica, her daughter who is somewhat hesitant towards the idea of marriage. A beautiful woman, Susan attracts the attention of a few suitors, such as the young, handsome Reginald, and the silly Sir James Martin, who is quite the putz but unquestionably good natured. While watching Whit Stillman's Love and Friendship it becomes quite apparent early on that Whit Stillman's witty dialogue recited in the prose of a Jane Austen novel is a match match made in heaven. I wouldn't call Love & Friendship a deconstruction of the genre by any means, but more a film that lets Stillman simply play in this world of feminine oppression, lavish luxury, and overt politeness that attempts to deflect true feelings and intentions. Plot details aren't that important, so I wouldn't spoil them here, just know that Love & Friendship is very playful in tone, following a strong female character in an age where equality was an afterthought. Susan uses her beauty, charm, and intelligence to get the upperhand in a world dominated by masculinity, using her good looks and intelligence as a sense of empowerment which finds Susan getting what seems to be her way in the end. Being a film by Whit Stillman, the dialogue is as sharp, biting, and witty as one has come to expect from the talented writer and director, with Love & Friendship keeping the viewer engaged from start to finish with its fantastic exchanges. For Jane Austen fans, Love & Friendship may be a bit surprising and unexpected, due to the filmmaker's playful nature, but I can't imagine any fan of the genre, or the filmmaker in general not having a good time with this well-written, witty little film set in the Victorian era.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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