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a14 people & arts
Tuesday 5 July 2022
Austen-era schemes, dreams fill 'Mr. Malcolm's List'

By JOCELYN NOVECK lina a mate — once her
AP National Writer own marriage has been se-
"It is a truth universally ac- cured.
knowledged," goes one of Sixteen years later, we're
the more famous opening in 1818 London and Julia's
lines in English literature, on the hunt. She manag-
"that a single man in pos- es to wangle a date with
session of a good fortune, wealthy Jeremy Malcolm,
must be in want of a wife." the town's most eligible
That's Jane Austen, begin- bachelor. But at the opera,
ning her 1813 "Pride and he tests her knowledge.
Prejudice." Austen herself She knows nothing about
has nothing to do with "Mr. opera, nor can she answer
Malcolm's List," the clever, his question about the Corn
entertaining and delecta- Laws. He yawns, a devel-
bly pretty new film starring opment noticed across
Freida Pinto — but also ev- the theater in a box, where
erything. It's our collective other young ladies snipe
thirst for such Regency-era that after four unsuccessful
"comedies of manners," ex- "seasons" in the marriage
amining the intense match- market, Julia really should
making activity of a cer- This image released by Bleecker Street shows ṢṢpṢṢ Dìrísù, right, and Freida Pinto in a scene from step aside.
tain level of British society, "Mr. Malcolm's List." Things really get bad for
that has given rise to this, Associated Press Julia when an unflattering
to TV's "Bridgerton," to the comic sketch, or caricature,
2020 "Emma" adaptation lot worse. British-Nigerian actor Sopé in the best-friend role as circulates in the press — a
with Anya Taylor-Joy, and There's one key element in Dìrísù as the titular Mr. Mal- Julia's cousin, and a ridicu- sort of Regency-era social
other films too numerous to which "Mr. Malcolm's List, colm, Zawe Ashton as the lously dashing Theo James media diss — showing her
name. " a story of love, friendship scheming Julia, and Pinto as, well, a ridiculously dash- being spurned by Jeremy.
Of course, you might ask, at and revenge served on a as the noble Selina, who ing captain. "I am ruined," she laments.
a time of such turbulence porcelain plate, diverges serves as a reluctant pawn But let's talk marriage, shall She consults her cousin
in the world, what do 19th from previous Regency-era in this triangular tale. All we? Cassidy, who's friends with
century upper-class roman- comedies (but aligns with three are excellent, but Because marriage is the Jeremy and lets on that
tic machinations have to "Bridgerton"): its diverse Ashton is particularly mes- only goal here — and ev- the wealthy bachelor has
do with, well, anything? To casting. Director Emma merizing — to be fair, she eryone knows it, even the an actual list of qualifica-
which we say: Whatever! Holly Jones, working from gets the meatiest role by child versions of Julia and tions for an eventual bride.
Bring it on. Distract us with a script (and novel) by Su- far, and it's always better Selina, whom we meet at Ever more humiliated, Ju-
your lovely frocks flowing zanne Allain, has said she to play complicated than boarding school in a brief lia hatches a plan: She will
straight from the bosom, was inspired by Broadway's noble (though sometimes prelude. Selina, the daugh- groom a willing candidate
your exquisite bonnets with "Hamilton," in which Ameri- Julia veers dangerously into ter of a country vicar, notes to fit all Jeremy's qualifica-
feathers, your real-estate can history's famous char- the downright mean). Sup- that she has little means to tions, and then, once he's
porn in the countryside and acters are portrayed by a porting roles are ably filled, offer an eventual husband. ready to propose, give the
your smart dinner-table non-white cast. especially by an appeal- Julia, ever the pragmatist, snobbish man a taste of his
repartee. We could do a Here, the cast is led by ing Oliver Jackson-Cohen promises she will find Se- own medicine.q

Mary J. Blige is next artist in Apple Music concert series

featured at the Super Bowl York City's United Palace among the 500 greatest al-
halftime show. Now she's Theatre, in Manhattan's bums of all time by Rolling
been tapped for a concert Washington Heights neigh- Stone, reaching No. 271.
like no other. borhood. Fans in the great- The album is certified three
Blige will host a one-night- er New York region have times platinum, with over 3
only live performance to the opportunity to register million copies sold.
celebrate her life and mu- for free for a chance to be The digital concert series
sic that will be available to in the room when it hap- had its inaugural perfor-
stream exclusively on Apple pens. mance in May with Harry
Music in over 165 countries. The concert coincides with Styles spearheading the
The concert is set for July 27 the 30th anniversary of her campaign, followed by a
at 10 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. PDT. acclaimed debut album live performance by Lil Durk
"The last year of my career "What's the 411," and Apple in June.
in particular has been an Music Hits will devote the Blige's career includes eight
exciting ride," Blige said in entire day to Blige, includ- multi-platinum albums,
a statement. "It feels amaz- ing exclusive program- nine Grammy Awards, two
Mary J. Blige arrives at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 26, 2022, ing to take this opportunity ming, music, and interviews Academy Award nomina-
at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. to celebrate, reflect and showcasing key moments tions, two Golden Globe
Associated Press have an intimate night with from her career. nominations and a SAG
my fans through this plat- "What's the 411?" — with nomination. Her latest al-
By MARK KENNEDY ty well. Her new album form Apple Music is provid- the songs "You Remind Me" bum is "Good Morning Gor-
AP Entertainment Writer landed in the top 10 of ing me." and cover version of Rufus geous" and she was seen
NEW YORK (AP) — Mary J. Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Al- Blige's Apple Music Live and Chaka Khan's "Sweet this year on the small screen
Blige's 2022 is going pret- bums chart, and she was concert will be held at New Thing" — has been named in "Power Book II: Ghost."q