SummaryWhen she fails to meet an item on his list of requirements for a bride, Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) is jilted by London’s most eligible bachelor, Mr. Malcolm (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù). Feeling humiliated and determined to exact revenge, she convinces her friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) to play the role of his ideal match. Soon, Mr. Malcolm...
SummaryWhen she fails to meet an item on his list of requirements for a bride, Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) is jilted by London’s most eligible bachelor, Mr. Malcolm (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù). Feeling humiliated and determined to exact revenge, she convinces her friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) to play the role of his ideal match. Soon, Mr. Malcolm...
It's a more conventional, less anachronistic cousin to the Bridgertons of the world, absent of any orchestral pop music covers or scandal that will steam up the screen, but there are still plenty of familiar genre motifs included to satisfy the most ardent of Regency romance lovers.
From Ireland, Mr. Malcolm’s List is a lavishly photographed romantic period piece with a cast of enchanting unknowns that attempts to be a colorblind Jane Austen social satire. Its failure is nevertheless lovely to look at and worthy of attention.
Mr. Malcolm’s List is the glamorous adventure of the year! The film transports fans into the Regency era for a tale filled with romance and exquisite music. Mr. Malcolm’s List is set in 1818, where the most eligible bachelor, Mr. James Malcolm (Sope Dirisu) looks for a wife. He meets Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) who he believes isn’t worthy of his courtship because she does not meet his list of qualifications for a wife. Julia is embarrassed in society’s newspaper so she plans her revenge on Mr. Malcolm. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Allain. This film shows how Regency era pieces have taken the world by storm. The movie is lighthearted, overflowing with gorgeous dresses, beautiful ballrooms and witty comedy. There was a short film based on Mr. Malcolm’s List previously released, with several cast members returning for this feature. It’s wonderful to have the entire story fleshed out, taking its time to tell the entire tale without feeling rushed. Sam Heughan reprises his role as Henry. Audiences can see that he feels more comfortable with this role, which adds to the greatness of this character. The story itself is unique and keeps viewers on the edge of their seat. With the series Bridgerton giving fans several love stories with people who are head over heels for each other, it’s refreshing to have Mr. Malcolm’s List be the complete opposite. A woman taking revenge on a man for embarrassing her in society is as comedic as it is powerful. The writers have given Julia such power in proving herself worthwhile and she ends up finding love under unlikely circumstances. The film gives personality and color to our ideas of what people were like in the early 1800s. Two friends spending their free time pondering on how to ruin the life of the most eligible bachelor in London, just because they think it’ll be fun, is exciting and totally unpredictable. Every second of this film is compelling. The moral of this story is to honor yourself. Julia never lets anyone degrade her. Whereas some women during this time period would have let a man embarrass her and move on, Julia gives James a taste of his own medicine. She is never upset about not meeting his requirements, but instead becomes furious that he has a list to begin with. I give Mr. Malcolm’s List 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film releases in theaters July 1, 2022. By Heather S., KIDS FIRST!
This is a movie that will inevitably be compared to other, better movies (oh, and “Bridgerton” — expect to see a lot of “Bridgerton” comparisons). Still, it’s like a knockoff handbag: It looks real enough, until you start examining internal zippers. Yes, it does the job almost as well as the original. It’s just missing a few details that could have made it a classic.
Jones’ debut is stuffed to the brim with the sharp dialogue and rich costumes that bring us back to the period romance genre again and again. Her direction is serviceable, and the pacing never lingers too long, keeping the laughs and romance coming.
Luckily for us, the flawed but charming Mr. Malcolm’s List has Indian actress Freida Pinto as a winsome romantic lead, finally receiving her flowers in a perfectly matched role.
There’s no sense to almost every element in the movie, and its sensibility is this: that dull dialogue is bound to sound witty if delivered in an English accent. It doesn’t. At least the costumes are pretty.
A period piece that follows the diverse casting found in Bridgerton---but nary a bloomer in sight and suitable for the whole family. If you have no expectations except for light entertainment, perfect for a night home alone with a pint of Haagen Dazs.
Comparisons to Netflix's Bridgerton are inevitable (even though this film started production earlier). It's set in 1818 England, where women are vying for the attentions of one special bachelor and the cast is multi-ethnic. Natch, societal pressures and relationship trickery complicate matters. What makes this genre special is clever writing, compelling performances (with some minor comic roles) and visual beauty. All 3 elements are at play, but not at the highest level: There are mildly amusing moments, the actors are all enjoyable and the costumes/locations are basically attractive. While some of the Jane Austen adaptations are much better, this one provides a predictable, pleasant pastime.
(Mauro Lanari)
Metanarrative: pure and free love or according to manipulative rules of the game? At the end of watching the film, Emma Holly Jones and Suzanne Allain seem to have told the first by following the second ones. Theo James is getting used to more and more adult roles.
Feito com uma produção caprichada e um figurino incrível (ótima reconstrução de época, ótima ambientação), os diálogos do filme, infelizmente tem uma conotação adolescente muito pouco inspirada, girando em torno de relacionamentos de forma muito, realmente muito chata.
Malcom é um galanteador rico na cidade, desejado por muitas mulheres, mas tem uma lista de exigências que carrega consigo. O bom do filme é que pelo menos não soa tão machista quanto parece, soa mais como uma neurose do personagem mesmo, já que o rapaz é até gentil e educado, embora seja um pé no saco. Fora a riqueza e a polidez, não vi nada que justifique a tal fama, ele não sabe conversar além de uma ou outra frase que parece ter sido tirada de uma novela adolescente.
Após rejeitas mais uma pretendente, ele conhece ao acaso a prima da rejeitada, e as meninas então elaboram um plano de vingança, fazendo com que ele também seja posto à prova em uma lista, mas claro que não irá vingar, romances improváveis acontecem, personagens secundários mal desenvolvidos surgem, e tudo de forma muito mecânica, até tentam inserir certa dose de humor em algumas cenas, como a que Malcom descobre que são primas e o plano de ambas, mas soou tudo muito constrangedor.
Filmes de época existem aos montes, e o mais recente de que me lembro é Emily, que embora não seja uma obra prima, tem um texto excelente. Até mesmo filmes juvenis como Rosaline conseguem entregar um texto mais inteligente e voltado à juventude. Então, não tem como não se decepcionar com os diálogos fracos, debilóides, e o que é pior, atuações mecânicas, tirando as meninas, todos parecem estar no piloto automático.
Outra coisa que muito me incomodou foram os personagens secundários, todos muito desinteressantes e sem grandes contribuições. O roteiro até tenta fazer da mãe de Malcom algo decente, mas ela já aprece ****, meio que do nada, parece até estar deslocada dos acontecimentos.
Enfim, é um filme que vale pela parte técnica, e claro para corações muito moles, porque com um pouco de neurônios dá para perceber o quanto o filme é raso demais.
Production Company
Blinder Films,
Dreamscape Productions,
Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland,
Holly Films,
Ingenious Media,
Investment Incentives for the Irish Film Industry Provided by the Government of Ireland,
Rebelle Media,
Refinery29,
Universal Pictures,
Untitled Entertainment