‘Mr. Malcolm’s List’ Review – A Charming, Clever Counterbalance to ‘Bridgerton’

The Regency era is having a moment.

Filmmakers have long been enamored with the period defined by King George III’s descent into madness. (There are no less than three popular Pride & Prejudice adaptations, after all.) However, the last few years have seen it re-imagined to be more inclusive and diverse. Shonda Rhimes’ uber-popular Netflix series Bridgerton blew the gates open. Bridgerton presented an alternate reality: Queen Charlotte’s biracial identity was common knowledge, and her marriage to King George ended racism and integrated genteel British society. The pure, shameless fantasy allowed Rhimes to focus on the heated glances and bodice-ripping that ignited the Internet and turned Rege-Jean Page into an Emmy-nominated star overnight.

Mr. Malcolm’s List, adapted from Suzanne Allain’s novel of the same name, follows the same multi-ethnic approach to the Regency era but forgoes an explanation. The film instead focuses on a plot by Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) to punish Jeremy Malcolm (Sope Dirisu) for publicly humiliating her during their brief courtship because she failed to meet his rigid list of standards for a potential wife. Julia ropes her childhood friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) and her cousin Lord Cassidy (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) into her scheme. Julia and Lord Cassidy will craft Selina into Mr. Malcolm’s perfect match based on his list and then embarrass him.

You don’t have to be well-versed in Jane Austen to know where Mr. Malcolm’s List is headed. The predictability works to its advantage. Standard rom-com conventions inform Allain’s story: the clandestine meet-cute, the conversation revealing one’s true nature. However, twists and character beats – particularly with Julia and the dashing Captain Henry (Theo James) – keep things exciting and fresh. Those twists could be distractions under less deft hands. Director Emma Holly Jones weaves them in without losing the comfort and charm. It draws you in more, to the point that a smile rarely leaves your face as you watch.

Mr. Malcolm’s List succeeds by being steadfastly and thoughtfully character-driven. The film doesn’t stretch itself towards commentary aimed at modern audiences nor pretends that Julia’s plot is patently absurd. (The side-eye glances the downstairs staff share are great comedic touches.) Even with the standard rom-com contrivances, the characters never feel like chess pieces on a board. Each one feels alive, well-rounded, and sympathetic, even in their worst moments. There are no outright villains because Allain and Jones know that we’re all capable of terrible deeds, no matter how good we think we are. They also understand the nuances of consequence, acceptance, remorse, and forgiveness, which gives the film a surprising emotional heft.

As well-written as Mr. Malcolm’s List is, it’s even better acted, with a solid cast. Freida Pinto is simply radiant as the humble, intelligent, and firm Selina, with a sly rom-com presence. Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù cuts a dashing and elegant figure as Mr. Malcolm, this film’s Mr. Darcy, truly blossoming when he gets to lower his character’s defenses and let his warm-hearted charisma shine through.

As great as Pinto and Dìrísù are together and apart, the film belongs to Zawe Ashton as the cunning and fragile puppet master Julia. Anyone who saw her in Velvet Buzzsaw would be familiar with the deliciously off-kilter performance she delivers here. However, Ashton surprises with how she balances Julia’s cunning with her insecurities and vulnerabilities. She creates a sympathetic character that, at the very least, you want her to get out of her own way. If there’s one cast-related criticism worth levying, it’s how little Allain and Jones give Oliver-Jackson-Cohen to work with. It’s a shame because he carries a bright-eyed smirk that conveys an intriguing inner life that isn’t on the page. (He feels queer-coded as well.)

While not as lusty or colorful as Bridgerton, Mr. Malcolm’s List is a charming and clever counterbalance. It’s easy to love the characters, their shenanigans, and their banter about those shenanigans. Without the trappings of mental gymnastics and fraught explanations, the film tells a rich, silly romantic story that still feels modern without announcing itself as such. It’s a refreshing turn-of-page for the revival of Regency-era entertainment, one that others should follow.

Mr. Malcolm’s List is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Bleecker Street. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8hRCVAZFTs]