Mr. Malcolm's List

Last night I went with my sisters and my niece to see Mr. Malcolm's List and we had a great time watching it together!  Lady Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) sets her sights on the wealthy Jeremiah Malcolm (Sope Dirisu) but he rejects her publicly.  Feeling hurt and humiliated, she sends her cousin Lord Cassidy (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) to investigate and he discovers that Mr. Malcolm has a list of requirements for a bride and that she has been found wanting.  She devises a plan for revenge which involves having her old school friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) portray all of the qualities he is looking for and, when he falls in love with her, ruthlessly reject him with her own list.  Complications arise!  This is a very lighthearted Regency romance that had me (and my sisters) laughing from beginning to end.  However, having said that, I really enjoyed the journey that Julia takes because, even though she is vindictive in her desire to make Mr. Malcolm suffer, she realizes that she has been just as dismissive of her own suitors, especially where a certain Captain Henry Ossory (Theo James) is concerned.  Ashton is fantastic in the role and her reactions to the goings-on provide much of the comedy but also a few tender moments. Pinto and Dirisu have tremendous chemistry, particularly during a dance at a masquerade ball (dancing is often the turning point in Regency romances), and, even though you know how their story will end after their very first scene together, it is so entertaining watching them realize it.  As much as I loved the main cast, Divian Ladwa steals the show as a footman in the Thistlewaite household because his facial expressions are hilarious. Finally, I really enjoyed the colorblind casting (as I did in The Personal History of David Copperfield) and I hope this trend continues. The gorgeous Regency-era costumes, lavish interiors (my favorite is the opera house), bucolic outdoor settings, sweeping score, and witty banter all provide a bit of escapist fun.  The four of us loved it and I recommend it as a delightful way to spend an evening with a group of friends.