Bozeman Magazine

It is rare when a filmmaker successfully captures the tone and personality of an author in a movie adaptation, particularly when that author is the inimitable Jane Austen. Her playful humor and unnerving perception into human behavior are enjoying their most recent success in a beautiful translation of Lady Susan (published 50 years after her death), renamed 'Love & Friendship' on the silver screen. This richly funny comedy focuses on the machinations of a beautiful widow, Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale) who, while waiting for social chatter about a personal indiscretion to pass, takes up temporary residence at her in-laws’ estate. While there, the intelligent, flirtatious, and amusingly egotistical Lady Vernon is determined to be a matchmaker for her daughter Frederica—and herself too, naturally. She enlists the assistance of her old friend Alicia (Chloë Sevigny), but two particularly handsome suitors (Xavier Samuel and Tom Bennett) complicate her orchestrations. Everything from the intimate subtlety of the acting to the abrupt scene transitions—which bring to mind Monty Python’s comedic genius—breathes authenticity into Austen’s underrated and rather dark novel. Director Whit Stillman’s film happily leaves the source of most of its humor in the wit of Austen’s dialogue and the cast’s substantial and discreet acting abilities. Along with critical accolades, the film has received a rare 99% Rotten Tomatoes Score, and Rolling Stone’s Peter Traverse states; "I can't think of a more wickedly modern romantic comedy!"