Jane Austen’s wealth of fiction has been adapted for the screen time and time again, with the seminal Pride & Prejudice being the most notable example of the late author’s work. How and ever, one of Austen’s lesser known novella’s has attracted the attention of Metropolitan director Whit Stillman, who is adapting the period piece in the form of Love and Friendship.
With Kate Beckinsale and Chloe Sevigny – reuniting with the filmmaker following ’98’s The Last Days of Disco – on board in the two lead roles, shooting began earlier this year in Dublin, Ireland, and as is the case with the majority of on-location shooting, the first image from the set has found its way online, showing the two leading ladies in costume. Beckinsale will play the role of Lady Susan Vernon, a widow who searches far and wide for a husband for herself, while also catering to the love interest of her daughter by trying to find her a husband of her own.
Interestingly, after completing the writing process, Austen never submitted Lady Susan – the original name of the source material – for publication, and it was only after the writer’s death that the novella was printed in 1871.
Love and Friendship is somewhat of an international affair, too, with Blinder Films, Revolver Amsterdam and Chic Films all co-producing Stillman’s cinematic rendition. Xavier Samuel, Emma Greenwell, Morfydd Clark, Jemma Redgrave, James Fleet, Tom Bennett and Justin Edwards complete the ensemble cast.
No word yet on a potential release date for Stillman’s latest, and without any distributors attached at the time of writing, it will likely be some time yet before we see Austen’s novella make it to the silver screen. In the meantime, you can share your early impressions of Love and Friendship using the comments below.
Published: May 5, 2015 12:17 pm