MOVIE - Love and Friendship

PG (1:34)

Limited release 5/13/16

Viewed summer of 2016 - I think at the Majestic in Gettysburg

RT Critic: 98   Audience:  60
Critic's Consensus:  Love & Friendship finds director Whit Stillman bringing his talents to bear on a Jane Austen adaptation -- with a thoroughly delightful period drama as the result.

Cag:  3 Like it okay

Directed by Whit Stillman

Westerly Films

Based on the book of the same name by Jane Austen

Kate Beckinsale, Chloe Sevigny

My comments:   Unfortunately, I didn't write down my review when watching it, and this is being written over 100 movies later.  I remember being annoyed by one of the actresses, I think it was Chloe Sevigny, but I can't remember why.  Shoot, I had lots of reasons for rating it a 3 at the time...

RT/ IMDb Summary:   Beautiful young widow Lady Susan Vernon visits to the estate of her in-laws to wait out the colorful rumors about her dalliances circulating through polite society. Whilst ensconced there, she decides to secure a husband for herself and a future for her eligible but reluctant daughter, Frederica. In doing so she attracts the simultaneous attentions of the young, handsome Reginald DeCourcy, the rich and silly Sir James Martin and the divinely handsome, but married, Lord Manwaring, complicating matters severely.

MOVIE - Belle

PG (1:45)

Limited Release 5/2/2014

Viewed at ElCon with Sheila and Ronnie on 5/28/14

RT Critic: 84  Audience:  89

Cag:  5/Loved it

Directed by:  Amma Asante

Fox Searchlight

Actors: the lead has the enticing name Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Tom Felton (Malfoy!) 

My comments:  I wonder why they decided to title this movie "Belle?"  I guess DIDO might be a little .... off-putting?  Anyways, this was a wonderful movie, with an ending that was deliciously happy, so I bet some people would like the movie less.  It was based on a true story and took place somewhere around 1780 (80 years before the American Civil War) in England.  It was beautifully crafted in every way, from casting to setting to costume to thoughtful dialogue.  The man sitting beside me said this was the third time he'd seen it!  A GREAT was to learn a little history and be totally entertained at the same time.

Reviews;  BELLE is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode). Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from the traditions of noble social standing. While her cousin Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) chases suitors for marriage, Belle is left on the sidelines wondering if she will ever find love. After meeting an idealistic young vicar's son bent on changing society, he and Belle help shape Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.