Love & Friendship

This is an adaptation of Jane Austen's novella Lady Susan.  Set in the 1790s, the film follows the title character, a beautiful young widow as she arrives in Churchill, to wait out colourful rumours about her dalliances circulating through polite society.  While there, she embarks upon securing a husband for herself, but the Churchill waters are troubled when handsome, eligible Reginald DeCourcy and cheerful Sir James Martin arrive.  After a series of dramatic turns, Lady  Susan ultimately risks destruction when her jealous rival comes to call, uncovering a revelation that leads to the denouncement of denouncements.  The characters needed name tags to determine who is sleeping with whom.  Still an entertaining movie. Stars:  Kate Beckinsale, Xavier Samuel, and Tom Bennett.  I give it a seven.

The Meddler

A recent widow and eternal optimist, Marnie Minevini moves from New Jersey to Los Angeles to be closer to her daughter-a successful-but single- screenwriter who firmly draws strict personal boundaries for her mother.  Armed with an iPhone and a full bank account, Marnie sets out to make friends, find her purpose, and possibly open up to someone new.  Marnie is played by Susan Sarandon who gives a career-best performance in this charming movie.  Rose Byrne plays the daughter and is equally as good.  Both mothers and daughters will love this movie.  I give it a seven.