By: Kimberly Grant
I can only imagine the pitch for Mr. Malcolm’s List: a multi-ethnic Downton Abbey or a film version of Bridgerton. For the un-initiated, Bridgerton is a beloved and fan favorite Netflix series in which people of color and whites exist in privilege. The setting of the series is early 19th century England. London to be exact. Both seasons of Bridgerton center around young ladies obtaining the coveted marriage proposal from an eligible bachelor in order to save themselves from ruin or judgement. Jane Austen probably wouldn’t approve, but it’s still great TV.
Mr. Malcolm’s List is out now in theaters nationwide.
A Bridgerton Connection
Mr. Malcolm’s List is quite similar to the Netflix series. In the film, also set in early 19th century, Ms. Julia Thistlewaite (played by Zawe Ashton) is on her fourth season of trying to find a husband. In laymen’s terms, she’s been trying to get married or fall in love for four years. This part of the plot is the most realistically modern part of the movie. In modern times, finding a love match can be long and filled with digital landmines. In her quest to find the one, Julia goes on an opera date with the most eligible bachelor of the season, Jeremy Malcolm (Sope Dirisu).
Unfortunately, Mr. Malcolm is pretty picky. He even has a list of personality traits that no woman can live up to. After being rejected by Jeremy, Julia invites her childhood friend, Selena Dalton (Frieda Pinto), to make him fall in love with her and then reject him with an impossible list of her own. Not a very complex plot, but it is the type of plot that is indicative of a film like this.
Written by Suzanne Allain, who also wrote the novel of the same name, Mr. Malcolm’s List is taking half of Bridgerton and making a movie. There’s a multi-ethnic cast in wealthy and commoner roles, the women are marriage-minded, and there’s a black countess with a fondness for wearing purple. Unfortunately, that’s where the similarities end. It’s one thing to pay homage to Bridgerton. It’s another thing to copy the series. While the casting is valiant, the talent isn’t totally there.
Bad Connections
The writing and direction (Emma Holly Jones) lack physicality or action to make up for the weak dialog. The characters aren’t fleshed out well, except for Julia. (More on her in a minute.) Pinto, who also executive produced the film, as Selena is weak. She doesn’t totally connect with the audience or Dirisu. Likewise, Dirisu spends most of the movie alternating between scowling and looking whimsical. There wasn’t much to the character. The only interesting thing about Mr. Malcolm – other than being an earl’s son of African origin and supremely wealthy – is the one time he speaks in his native language. Mr. Malcolm is a missed opportunity for an intriguing character.
Theo James and his facial hair try their best to play handsome Captain Henry Ossory, whose initial goal is to woo Selena (and the audience). He does a good job doing one of those. Once you’ve seen the film, you’ll know which one. Oliver Jackson-Cohen, who plays Julia’s cousin Lord Cassidy, brings comedy to the movie and makes the silence of the film palatable. However, there is one person who totally stole the film.
I first saw Zawe Ashton on my streaming TV screen as a timid young woman on my favorite UK sci-fi series, Misfits. Soon after, she appeared on my streaming TV screen again as a misfit named Vod on another UK series called Fresh Meat. Vod is a 180 degree turn from Ashton’s Julia, who plays devious well in the film. She’s just enough of a mean girl to keep Mr. Malcolm’s List interesting and amiable enough to make you love her. We need more Ashton on her screens! Perhaps she can make a Bridgerton appearance.
Choices
People making lists for their future love match is nothing new. We’ve all been guilty of it. The good news is that you can still find love in today’s day and age – in whatever form you choose – with or without a list. Another perk of living in modern times is that a woman’s life no longer depends on finding a person to marry. Their body, their choice.
Interested in more positive feminine energy? You can read my article on Victoria Aveyard’s latest books series here.
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