There’s only one wide release this week that isn’t rated R (The Darkness), but it wasn’t screened for critics, so Christy opts to let us know about Whit Stillman’s adaptation of a Jane Austen novella and a a horror flick on DVD.
Indie writer-director Whit Stillman’s adaptation of the Jane Austen novella Lady Susan follows the adventures of a scheming widow (Kate Beckinsale) manipulating polite British society in 19th century England. Sounds stuffy, but it’s a straight-up comedy, and a snappy one at that. It’s also rated PG, so there’s nothing inappropriate here in terms of language or sex. But there are some mature themes involving marriage, infidelity, and death. And for many younger viewers, the language, situations and intertwined storylines may be too difficult to grasp. But adults will delight in the witty, fast-paced humor, and the movie as a whole should be fine for tweens and older.
