Jane Austen is an author whose novels have made many, many trips to the big screen in celebrated versions of her beloved work. You can imagine the joy her fans would feel if the phrase, “new Jane Austen “ was attached to a film that was based on a book of hers that had never seen the silver screen. That is exactly what audiences got with Love & Friendship, out now on DVD and Blu-Ray.
The film is based on the novella Lady Susan, a story written by Austen when she was merely a teen. The tale was meant solely for her family, to be read as their evening’s entertainment. It was found, released and cherished for its blistering humor and romantic intrigue. In fact, it might just be the funniest Austen yet… and that is saying something.
Filmmaker Whit Stillman (The Last Days of Disco, Metropolitan) has taken Austen’s novella and brought it to life with his in hilarious and mesmerizing fashion and re-titled it Love & Friendship.
The film stars Kate Beckinsale as Lady Susan Vernon, a beautiful young widow who visits her in-laws’ estate as she hopes the societal chit-chat about her indiscretions to pass. While visiting at the plush estate, she can’t resist meddling in the social affairs of all those around her, especially those involving her daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark). With the help of her old American friend Alicia (Chloe Sevigny), she comes up with the most convoluted reasoning for her actions, to the utter delight of the audience. It is the most fiercely of farces of the Austen tales, and yes that is saying something.
Things are further complicated by the attention Lady Susan gets from the young and handsome Reginald DeCourcy (Xavier Samuel), the more than financial secure and goofy Sir James Martin (Tom Bennett) and the off the market, yet insanely good-looking Lord Manwaring (Lochlann O’Mearáin). What’s a lady trying to escape scandal to do?
Love & Friendship is a don’t-miss for Austen fans and casual admirers of her work alike. And honestly, even those who have never seen an Austen film would find utterly delight in Stillman’s film that simply crackles with wit and wisdom, humor and heart.
When it comes to bonus features, there is but one, Behind-the-Scenes: Love & Friendship. It is a terrific look at the making-of the film and how each involved felt a unique and special thrill at bringing something new from the beloved author to the big screen. It is rare that a story creator that has not been of this earth for more than a century can bring something to audiences that they have never seen before and that fact is not lost on everyone in the Love & Friendship creative collective.
Of particular note are the comments from Stillman. As the screenwriter, and the sole person responsible for bringing Austen’s words to life on the screen for the first time, he adds insight into the process that is priceless. As many who have done so before (like Emma Thompson, who won an Oscar for her effort — and might we add Stillman deserves a nod for his work with Love & Friendship), it takes a special writer, and one with a keen eye for Austen’s wit and wizardry with words, to do justice to one of the greatest tale tellers in history. Hearing his thoughts on the process in this behind-the-scenes look is astounding. The cast interviews are also insightful and although we would have cherished an audio commentary track from Beckinsale and Stillman, the wonderful film and the charming bonus feature will have to suffice.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Feature: A-