Lady Susan
Feb. 27th, 2026 04:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
silverseaIt's been a while since I last posted, mainly because of depression, not having anything to say, etc. Trying to get back in the habit, but I think it'll be infrequent posts anyway.
Recently read Lady Susan by Jane Austen and then watched Love & Friendship (confusingly named after a different Austen work) directed by Whit Stillman.
Lady Susan was written when Austen was 18, and while her inexperience showed, her defining wit was already on full display.
Susan's definitely one of Austen's most entertaining characters, which is saying a lot considering her many, many memorable characters. She's so shamelessly two-faced! So selfish and without a single care for anyone else. And yet she's so effortlessly charming and witty it's easy to see how she maintains her status. I love her letters, the way she's all beguiling and sweet in letters to Catherine and Reginald and so vile while scheming with Alicia. Such a hilarious character, and a good satire of society, I think. Trying to obtain a wealthy man for her daughter would have been the goal for many mothers at the time. It's like Susan was following society's expectations, except in the most vile ways possible.
I usually love epistolary, but unfortunately didn't enjoy this one. The beginning was especially rough, and I think I would have benefited from a physical copy as to follow who's writing to whom. It was also interesting seeing Frederica, a more typical Austen heroine, through the lenses of other characters, but considering we had no letters by/to her, her character is very lacking. Not wholly happy with Frederica ending up with Reginald, something about getting your mother's reject is gross. Much to think on this one like with Mansfield Park, but I don't think I will revisit this.
Love & Friendship is an excellent adaptation, having done its best with the uncompleted materials. The adaptation is a straightforward comedy in the heart of the novella. Kate Beckinsale was amazing as Lady Susan, she nailed the two-facedness. Really love Sir James Martin in it, his character was greatly elevated by Tom Bennett's brilliant performance. The twelve commandments scene in particular was comedic gold.
I do think the film missed a major opportunity by not fleshing Frederica out more, which disappointed me given how they fleshed out other aspects of the story. Also wish the adaptation kept more of the letter aspects, especially with Alicia Johnson. The De Courcy parents reading Catherine's letter was really funny, and I'd love it if they did more of it with Susan and Alicia's letters.
A minor nitpick, the makeup was much too modern for my liking. Costume design was lovely, but I couldn't stop being distracted by how modern Beckinsale's makeup was.
Recently read Lady Susan by Jane Austen and then watched Love & Friendship (confusingly named after a different Austen work) directed by Whit Stillman.
Lady Susan was written when Austen was 18, and while her inexperience showed, her defining wit was already on full display.
Susan's definitely one of Austen's most entertaining characters, which is saying a lot considering her many, many memorable characters. She's so shamelessly two-faced! So selfish and without a single care for anyone else. And yet she's so effortlessly charming and witty it's easy to see how she maintains her status. I love her letters, the way she's all beguiling and sweet in letters to Catherine and Reginald and so vile while scheming with Alicia. Such a hilarious character, and a good satire of society, I think. Trying to obtain a wealthy man for her daughter would have been the goal for many mothers at the time. It's like Susan was following society's expectations, except in the most vile ways possible.
I usually love epistolary, but unfortunately didn't enjoy this one. The beginning was especially rough, and I think I would have benefited from a physical copy as to follow who's writing to whom. It was also interesting seeing Frederica, a more typical Austen heroine, through the lenses of other characters, but considering we had no letters by/to her, her character is very lacking. Not wholly happy with Frederica ending up with Reginald, something about getting your mother's reject is gross. Much to think on this one like with Mansfield Park, but I don't think I will revisit this.
Love & Friendship is an excellent adaptation, having done its best with the uncompleted materials. The adaptation is a straightforward comedy in the heart of the novella. Kate Beckinsale was amazing as Lady Susan, she nailed the two-facedness. Really love Sir James Martin in it, his character was greatly elevated by Tom Bennett's brilliant performance. The twelve commandments scene in particular was comedic gold.
I do think the film missed a major opportunity by not fleshing Frederica out more, which disappointed me given how they fleshed out other aspects of the story. Also wish the adaptation kept more of the letter aspects, especially with Alicia Johnson. The De Courcy parents reading Catherine's letter was really funny, and I'd love it if they did more of it with Susan and Alicia's letters.
A minor nitpick, the makeup was much too modern for my liking. Costume design was lovely, but I couldn't stop being distracted by how modern Beckinsale's makeup was.
