Mr. Malcolm's List

Surely there are important, authentic, diverse stories that should be told, based on literature and history of the non-Western world.

Shouldn't those films be made?

The new thing of re-doing English period pieces with woke casting is a waste of opportunity and resources. These films and shows are like fake reality shows., though Mr. Malcolm's List is better than Bridgerton aka Gossip Girls in costume.

The set-up of the movie is tiresome. Among other things, Zawe Ashton and Freida Pinto are old for these period piece characters, Ashton's character is mostly unpleasant.

How this movie has an average of 5.3 but the disgracefully botched 2022 version of Persuasion, a 5.6, is beyond me. Yes, Mr. Malcolm's List is Austen-esque and predictable, but at least the script captured the zeitgeist of the early 1800s. Its preview (which is on YouTube) actually came out early 2019, so I'm guessing Bridgerton took a leaf out of their book in regard to a diverse cast.

The two leads don't have much chemistry but the cast in general is excellent. I particularly enjoyed Oliver Jackson-Cohen's Lord Cassidy and although Julia Thistlewaite's character is downright unpleasant, Zawe Ashton embodied her brilliantly. I'm glad she replaced Gemma Chan, whose performance in the preview I thought a bit spiritless.

All in all, not an arthouse film experience but definitely worth the watch if you're into period pieces. I watched it for the second time today and didn't enjoy it any less than I did the first time.

Novelists who adapt their own work to the screen sometimes run the risk of being unable to "kill their babies." Fortunately, Ms. Alain's had no such qualms. Her screenplay is a delight. Director Emma Holly Jones maintains the scope and literary scale of the novel, as well as the wit, charm, and romance expected of Regency-era productions. Taking a cue from the wildly successful Bridgerton series, casting is inclusive and revelatory. Who isn't thrilled to see the lovely Ms Pinto in Austeneseque attire and a plot rife with scheming intrigue? Twenty-first century novelists are enriching a beloved genre with new stories. Here's to the women behind the camera and the women behind the pen.

I had nooooooo intention of seeing another period-piece but my wife wanted to see it. Actually, it was a decent movie. At times, some of the characters were a bit stilted, timing was a bit off, chemistry/dynamics didn't quite connect and there was probably a bit more drama (overacting) with some of the characters the actors were supposed to play. On the flip slide, there were many scenes that were quite well done, and there was a bit of extra/added subtlety about the story line throughout the movie. Good movie for $5 Tuesday or DVD.

'' Mr. Malcolm's List '' is a period romantic drama.

The movie has a fun story, based on a novel with the same title, and the whole story brings in mind Jane Austen vibes.

In addition, the characters were fun and feisty and their chemistry was strong and enjoyable. The performances by every actor and actress in the cast, which were all enjoyable, aided to the success of the movie.

And yes the casting is unrealistic for a period drama, but, as the performances were strong and the settings and costumes spot on, so it can be easily overlooked.

Finally, the movie did a good job presenting the story.