Love and Friendship

This was an interesting, quirky little film.
Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale) is a poor widow, forced to visit friends and relatives or else she will be homeless. She is desperate to find another husband for herself as well as her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark). Kicked out of the Manwaring house, Susan is forced to go her relatives house, her late husband's brother and his wife, Catherine (a great Emma Greenwell). Catherine is not a big fan, but Catherine's brother, Reginald (Xavier Samuel) quickly takes a shine as Susan is the biggest flirt in the country. She is cunning and manipulative, encouraging Reginald's affections while carrying on with Mr. Manwaring (Lochlann O'Mearain). After her daughter is kicked out of the boarding school, for reasons that should have been explained better, it becomes clear that Reginald is truly in love with the mousy Frederica. Susan is so manipulative that she orders her daughter to obey her as the commandments tell her that she must honor thy mother. Susan wants Frederica to marry the clueless James Martin (Tom Bennett). He doesn't know what peas are or how long it would take a woman to get pregnant.
Susan wants to push off Reginald's proposal though it would be a good match for her but it would not a popular one, but he discovers that she is still seeing Mr. Manwaring privately though she makes every excuse in the book as to why she was alone with him.
Fortunately, Frederica is well liked by her aunt and after some careful persuasion Frederica is allowed to accompany her aunt and uncle (Justin Edwards) back to their home. Now, I would love to know how Susan did come up with money to stay in London. Once that happens, things fall into place, Susan marries Martin as she is pregnant with Mr. Manwaring's child but he is still married to his wife and the film ends with Frederica marries Reginald. Though the film cuts off abruptly with Frederica finally singing as everyone proclaims that she has the voice of an angel, it was a happy ending, as happy as it could be.
The film is good, filled with good performances by largely little known actors. Chloe Sevigny is great as another cool character, the American Alicia Johnson who is just as sly as Susan. The set is also great, with good costumes and sets. And it is funny in a sneaky way. Sure, there are a few problems with it, including the sudden ending, but overall, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Grade: B+