Mr. Malcolm’s List (2022) Movie Drinking Game
Down some Sherry: each time a suitor requirement is ticked off on Mr. Malcolm’s List
Down some Sherry: each time a Lord or Lady is introduced onscreen
Down some Sherry: for each biting zinger or witty exchange between the characters
Down some Sherry: each time there’s some geese or horses in frame
By: Vidal D’costa (Two Beers) –
The titular Mr. Malcolm (Sope Dirisu) has penned a literal list of requirements in his quest to find himself a tip-top bride. After a humiliating first outing with him only ends in her becoming the laughing stock and a caricature in the papers (an early example of modern meme culture), high class girl Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) is desperate to get even with him and win back her dignity by hiring her childhood bestie from the countryside, Selena, to score a date with this highly sought after bachelor. Mr. Malcolm, on the other hand, wants to settle once and for all that he is not the ‘butcher of young women’s dreams’ as society perceives him to be.
A Toast
The talents of the impressive cast aren’t squandered, with the leads as well as supporting actors delivering equally compelling performances. Also Theo James/Captain Henry Ossory can ask for my hand in marriage any day (even though I mistook him for a mustachioed Chris Evans more than once). I will always be a simp for Freida Pinto and she turns in a very charming performance as the level-headed and endearing Selena who is but a pawn in her friend’s silly ploy. In the wrong hands, Julia Thistlewaite would have been but a cynical and cloying Desperado, but Zawe Ashton lends a sympathetic energy to this character.
The movie also touches upon themes of friendship and solitude in a poignant fashion. It also benefits from some stunning visuals and some top notch production value which helps to sell the ambience of a picture perfect period romance. Another high point is the clever, witty dialogue and back and forths particularly between Zawe Ashton and Oliver Jackson-Cohen’s characters Julia and Lord Cassidy respectively and I could not get enough of these two and their comic timing. I particularly had tons of fun watching them both exchange jibes and zingers at each other.
Beer Two
I have to admit that I found the writing and characterization to be quite underwhelming. Despite the wonderful, spirited, and very multicultural cast at this movie’s disposal, I didn’t even once feel completely immersed or invested in any of the characters themselves as there were barely any layers to their personalities nor any striking contrasts that made any of them stand out. I might sound biased, but when compared to other recent period offerings, such as Our Flag Means Death which also features an array of ethnically diverse cast members and which simultaneously successfully captures the diverse upbringings of each character, even brilliantly acting as an exposé on problematic societal norms and classist mentalities existing in the era it’s set in (even taking the piss out of rampant colonialism) either through symbolism or subversion of tropes, Mr. Malcolm’s List tends to pale in comparison thematically mainly due to its screenwriter Suzanne Allain’s stringent desire to stay within the confines rather than offering viewers a culturally enriching insight into the characters, their viewpoints, and/or lived experiences. Instead, it feels very much like a run of the mill period romance which doesn’t really rise above or beyond these qualities and neither achieves anything striking or groundbreaking as such.
Don’t get me wrong, while I was every bit ecstatic to see the mesmerising and insanely talented Freida Pinto occupy space on the big screen, looking every bit an elegant Disney Princess in all her richest finery, I was largely disappointed at the lack of a more culturally captivating take on this role and most importantly a more satisfying infusion of her cultural roots that could have further enhanced the characterisation immensely while also setting it a class apart too. The same goes for Dirisu’s Malcolm – apart from his character throwing around a Nigerian proverb or two, there’s hardly any heed paid to his cultural identity either. As a result, it feels like a very half baked attempt at representation when it could have been so much more instead.
I did however enjoy the occasional moments where the movie strayed into becoming a serious social commentary with the characters expressing their beliefs on the treatment of widows, bachelors, and spinsters alike, particularly as both Malcolm and his female suitor(s) become the talk of the town and a hot topic of misinformed gossip girls in the neighbourhood (much to Malcolm’s chagrin) but alas, even these moments aren’t dwelled on for far too long.
Verdict
If what you seek is a by the books period romance that plays it pretty safe in terms of execution, then Mr. Malcolm’s List should be on your to-watch list. And while it might not exactly be the most standout period romance of the year, it still has its moments and can be enjoyed with some tea and scones, even if only for the performances and for the biting wit of some secondary characters that salvages it.
