Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched for My Challenge (January 2017)

The first month of the year is already over. Which means the first month of my challenge is as well. And it was a pretty good month. Here are my five favorite films I watched for my 100 Movie Challenge.

5. Double Idemnity
I’ve been loving Billy Wilder films. The once I saw before were comedies, so it was really cool to see something different from Wilder this time. It’s a really good classic film.

4. Love & Friendship
I’m a sucker for films like this. “Love & Friendship” is a great take on this Jane Austen novella and Kate Beckinsale plays what is probably her best role ever.

3. Eye in the Sky
I didn’t expect that much, nothing more than another patriotic war film. Boy was I wrong. “Eye in the Sky” is an exciting film, with fantastic acting. It kept me on the edge of my seat.

2. Trainspotting
The film wasn’t completely new, but this was the first time I saw this film in its entirety. And I loved it. It’s a messed up story, but I sometimes like messed up.

1. The Little Prince
This film is so amazing, loved the style. And the story is so from-the-heart. As a creative person myself, I couldn’t not love “The Little Prince”.

They Almost Made the Top 5: The French Connection, A Royal Affair, Under the Skin, Bernie

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 6: Love & Friendship

Director: Whit Stillman
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Stephen Fry, Xavier Samuel, Tom Bennett, Jenn Murray, Lochlann O’Mearáin, Sophie Radermacher, Morfydd Clark, Frank Predergast, Emma Greenwell, Justin Edwards, Kelly Campbell, Conor Lambert, Conor MacNeill, Frank Melia, Jemma Redgrave

Description: Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale) takes up temporary residence at her in-laws' estate and, while there, is determined to be a matchmaker for her daughter Frederica -- and herself too, naturally.

Review: Jane Austen is still an inspiration for filmmakers. Especially “Pride & Prejudice” and “Sense & Sensibility” have been adapted several times. “Love & Friendship” is fresh and adapted from the novella “Lady Susan” by Jane Austen. Jane Austen fits director Whit Stillman perfectly. Both have a subtle sense of irony and humor, that sometimes has a double meaning. This results into a hilarious costume drama.
The novella the film is based on, is relatively unknown. The title characters is sharp, even more so then the heroines we know so well from Austen’s books. Lady Susan Vernon is a young widow who is seeking new, rich husbands for her daughter and herself. As a practiced flirt, she manages to drive men around her crazy, when she says it’s not her intention. Kate Beckinsale plays this role sublime, probably her best role so far.
It’s great how Stillman manages to capture Austen’s style, but gives it his own touch with still feeling like an Austen story. The greatest part of the film is the funny enhancement of Sir James Martin’s stupidity. Every scene with this character is just a joy to watch.
“Love & Friendship” is a very good costume drama, with lots of British humor, irony and sarcasm. Love it.

Rating: 4,5/ 5