The real pleasure here is in the complicated portrayal of the women of this time period and the various ways they navigate and subvert the gendered expectations put upon them by society.

Though the corseted bodices and full skirts suggest an Oscar bait-y period drama, Stillman quickly establishes Love & Friendship as an out-and-out comedy.

Love & Friendship may not be traditional Austen, but it's pretty stellar Stillman.

Kate Beckinsale proves that a career spent amongst CGI creations is a monumental waste of her awesome talent as she crafts an unforgettably shrewd feminist heroine in Lady Susan Vernon.