This is a 2016 romantic comedy film written and directed by Whit Stillman, based on Jane Austen’s epistolary* novel “Lady Susan” first published in 1871 after her death.

    Set in the 1790s, the film centers on beautiful widow Lady Susan Vernon, who has come to stay at the estate of her in-laws. Whilst there, she decides to find a husband for herself and her rather reluctant* debutante* daughter Frederica. Naturally, it takes place in a world where money is most important, but it is also a story in which women are permitted to be older, cleverer and better-looking than the men they wish to marry. It also has a young woman talking about earning her living by taking a job: that’s a worst-case scenario that does not come to pass, but even talking about it is interesting.

    Lady Susan (Kate Beckinsale) is the scandalous* heroine, a widow with beauty and a distinguished* name, but no financial means. She has a scheming* American friend, Mrs. Johnson, played by Chloe Sevigny.

    She has already left one noble house in some disorder, having used her charms, and is now staying with her sister-in-law Catherine (Emma Greenwell) and Catherine’s husband Charles (Justin Edwards). Here she appears to set her cap at* Catherine’s handsome brother Reginald (Xavier Samuel), to the horror of Catherine and Charles’ parents: very enjoyably played by James Fleet and Jemma Redgrave. But she has a wayward* daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark), whom she is trying to marry off to a wealthy stupid man called Sir James Martin.

    The whole film is a contest of zingers*, mostly from Lady Susan. It is a film of cynicism instead of romanticism. Interestingly, the real Austen heroine is probably the good-looking Reginald. He is the idealist who is shocked by the idea of marrying for money, and is easily manipulated*. His fate is settled in the way we might expect. But Lady Susan’s role is harder to read. Might she have a heart after all? (SD-Agencies)