Director Philippa Lowthorpe had to keep many plates spinning simultaneously in order to explore multiple characters in this ensemble piece. No easy feat, she has succeeded in giving us a beautifully thought-provoking overview of what it was like to be a woman in the early-70s from an ambitiously wide-ranging number of points of view. All while at the same time entertaining us with this scrupulously-researched period film.
'Misbehaviour' says sooooo much, on so many levels, and all done with a light touch and without being overly preachy, or strident. In so doing, the message is conveyed and reinforced, embroidered and elaborated upon almost via osmosis...
So many moving moments will remain with me; a mother and daughter impossibly at odds with one another cease fighting for long enough to hug each other in mutual respect and love... members of an all male, all white academic panel give Keira Knightly's character marks out of ten for her appearance and tut-tut about her relationship status rather than focussing on what she has to say as she pleads with them for a place (a seat at the table which turns out to be a high-chair)... the scuffed shoe of a contestant trying to fake it till she can make it... the excitement, exuberance and passion of the feminist protestors... Bob Hope's loving wife trapped in her gilded cage... Miss Africa South... I am so grateful for all these strong, resilient, gracious women who have gone before me, did what they could in the circs, and in so doing made it easier for me to potentially do likewise. I include the filmmakers in that equation - in addition to the women whose stories they have chosen to tell. Thank you! Hats off to you! Bravo!
'Misbehaviour' says sooooo much, on so many levels, and all done with a light touch and without being overly preachy, or strident. In so doing, the message is conveyed and reinforced, embroidered and elaborated upon almost via osmosis...
So many moving moments will remain with me; a mother and daughter impossibly at odds with one another cease fighting for long enough to hug each other in mutual respect and love... members of an all male, all white academic panel give Keira Knightly's character marks out of ten for her appearance and tut-tut about her relationship status rather than focussing on what she has to say as she pleads with them for a place (a seat at the table which turns out to be a high-chair)... the scuffed shoe of a contestant trying to fake it till she can make it... the excitement, exuberance and passion of the feminist protestors... Bob Hope's loving wife trapped in her gilded cage... Miss Africa South... I am so grateful for all these strong, resilient, gracious women who have gone before me, did what they could in the circs, and in so doing made it easier for me to potentially do likewise. I include the filmmakers in that equation - in addition to the women whose stories they have chosen to tell. Thank you! Hats off to you! Bravo!