Cast:
- Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù as Mr. Jeremy Malcolm
- Zawe Ashton as Julia Thistlewaite
- Freida Pinto as Selina Dalton
- Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Lord Cassidy
- Ashley Park as Gertie Covington
- Theo James as Captain Henry Ossory
Synopsis & Insights:
Mr. Malcolm’s List is a wonderful period romance drama with humor and social issues typical of period romances, thanks to classic regency novels – a historical romantic comedy film. The story centers on Mr. Jeremy Malcolm who is a gentleman of means as well as good turnout and is fully of prospects with a dating checklist for potential brides – the character is played by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù. Julia Thistlewaite played by Zawe Ashton, does not fit these criteria and so, in order to enact revenge, convinces her friend Selina Dalton played by Freida Pinto to impersonate what Mr. Malcolm seeks while internally-driven Kevin ends up falling for Mr. Malcolm.
Mr. Malcolm as portrayed by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, is captivating and more well-rounded than his character on screen as a rather haughty and over-fussy man, gradually peeling off his many faces as the film progresses. Selina, played by Freida Pinto, is a level-headed yet warm character that balances toward Mr. Malcolm’s character who calls for perfection. The lead up between the two characters becomes involving, making the romantic aspect of the film compelling.
Zawe Ashton brings to life the jilted Julia by means of revenge in a comical way and so creates a multi-dimensional character while Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Lord Cassidy gives further depth of humour and intrigue. All other members of the cast: Ashley Park, Theo James are no indifferent to the plot and each has given the individual beauty to the character which he/she has portrayed.
Mr. Malcolm’s List is another beautiful movie of why detailed attention is also accorded to the lower society of this setting without leaving out the aristocratic civilization of the Regency Era. The humor and heart found in the deceptiveness of romantic love, pride and the danger of love, suffering from compulsory expectations, as made in this story, relieves boredom in the period love story. As for the ladies who love reading stories, which, as they say, belong to Jane Austen’s world, will share Mr. Malcolm’s List with its exciting yet quite simple plot, which is, however, rather diverging from the beloved mold with a multiplicity of the cast, bringing new dimensions to the old form.
