Summary
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Regency fans can satisfy their itch by watching the witty and romantic film Mr. Malcolm’s List, fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 83% score.
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Similar to Bridgerton, Mr. Malcolm’s list follows high-society ladies scheming to secure respectable husbands, with electrifying romantic moments.
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The film’s unique twist on Regency genre rules, matchmaking machinations and singular conflicts make it a perfect watch while waiting for Bridgerton.
Bridgerton isn’t set to return until at least 2026, so that’s all the more reason fans should satisfy their Regency itch by watching the 2022 film Mr. Malcolm’s list. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Suzanne Allain and directed by Emma Holly Jones, the underrated film is currently fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 83% score. A short film starring Gemma Chan as Julia Thistlewaite – also directed by Jones – was released in 2019. Chan did not return for the full-length film despite the rest of Mr. Malcolm’s lists cast representing their roles.
like Bridgerton, Mr. Malcolm’s list Follow the ladies of London’s high society as they try to secure eligible bachelors and turn them into respectable husbands. The eligible guy in question is Mr. Jeremy Malcolm (Sope Dirisu), who has a strict list of characteristics he requires from his future wife. It is the existence of this list that leads Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) to enlist the help of her friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) to take revenge on Mr. Malcolm.
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Mr. Malcolm’s List is the perfect Regency romance to watch until Bridgerton returns
The film brings wit, schemes and romance
Although the overall plot of Mr. Malcolm’s list Lacking high stakes and being, ultimately, quite predictable, the film itself is witty, humorous, and – of course – romantic. In fact, a Screen Rant review of Malcolm’s list described The primary romance between Selina and Mr. Malcolm is especially electric, most notably during the masquerade dance scene. The moment, in itself, recalls Bridgerton Season 2’s dance scene between Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma.
The film is based on the rules of the Regency period genre and is adding its own unique twist. It includes the intrigue of high society courtship and romance, however It also embellishes the sly machinations of matchmaking mamas and desperate debutantes Bridgerton Sometimes she’s away from. This enhances the overall drama of the story and invites viewers to witness a new, crazier side of the Regency era genre.
They both center relationships between different classes
The similarities between Mr. Malcolm’s list And Bridgerton May be the result of broad strokes rather than fine details shared among all Regency period stories, however The plot of the former closely resembles that of the latter Bridgerton Season 4. This is primarily in regard to the different social standings of the leading couples: Selina and Mr. Malcolm, and Benedict and Sophie respectively.
Bridgerton Season 4 is reportedly adapted from Julia Quinn’s book A proposal from a gentlemanA Cinderella retelling in which poor Sophie Beckett (Yerin Ha) – the illegitimate of an earl – falls in love with Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) while at a masquerade ball. Likewise, although Mr Malcolm is an esteemed member of London’s high society, Selina is a vicar’s daughter and is thus unfamiliar with the games of the ton. The climax of the story of that couple also comes at a masquerade ball.
Moreover, it is a pivotal moment in A proposal from a gentleman When, during Benedict’s visit to Sophie’s house, Sophie is locked in her stepmother’s closet. This prevents the couple’s reunion. Similarly, Julia, in Mr. Malcolm’s List, Locks Selina into a room in order to pose as her and reject Mr. Malcolm’s offer. This also prevents the couple from getting together. Of course, despite the difficulties, Both couples eventually find their happily ever after with each other. Benedict married Sophia, and At the end of Malcolm’s ListMr. Malcolm changes his list to say “Selina Dalton,” meaning that she is his perfect wife.
As Mr. Malcolm’s list differs from Bridgerton’s
The conflict is more than you would expect
There is, however, one huge difference between Mr. Malcolm’s list And BridgertonAnd this is the most cruel and extraordinary scheme Julia concocted. After being laughed at by society and not following the requirements of Mr. Malcolm’s list, Julia seeks to ridicule Mr. Malcolm for the perceived slight he puts on her.
Although there were cases similar to this in Bridgerton – For example, Colin loudly declared that he would never marry Penelope in season 2, thereby humiliating her – the actions taken to correct the situation were not as vicious as Julia’s actions. The scheme is a little too gentle-spirited, especially considering that Julia’s response to the small is not equal to the small itself.
Despite this great difference, Mr. Malcolm’s list Is exactly what fans of Regency stories –BridgertonNo Jane Austen adaptation, etc. – would expect: Strict high society rules, a serious leading man with a heart of gold, and a charming witty leading lady. It will certainly satisfy those Bridgerton Itch while fans wait for the upcoming fourth season.