Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
This funny, bewitching Film follows the true story of the feminist protesters who disrupted the 1970 Miss World beauty competition in London.
What makes this Film great is its meticulous Script, written by Rebecca Frayn and Gaby Chiappe. They examine two sides of the story with humour and heart. One side being the feminist protesters, the other the pageant contestants. Frayn and Chiappe put more focus on one character in each group, Londoner Sally (Keira Knightley) and Miss Grenada Jennifer Hosten (Gugu Mbatha-Raw). By focusing on these characters, the Film examines the Miss World pageant through a feminist lens and through intersectionality. The Miss World competition majorly lacked representation among women of colour, and before 1970, no people of colour had ever won. The Script integrates this lack of representation within Hosten’s storyline, who won the competition in 1970.
Hosten’s experience and desire is the heart of the Film and Mbatha-Raw gives a strong performance. Jessie Buckley is a delight as passionate protester Jo, so much so, she should have been given more screen time. Other notable performances come from Leslie Manville as Dolores Hope, who’s worried about her husband hosting another Miss World after his infidelity the previous time. And Greg Kinnear turns in an impressive performance as Bob Hope. He shines during a pinnacle scene where the protesters invade the live competition and target him on stage.
Shout! Studios release MISBEHAVIOUR on Digital and On-Demand Friday, September 25, 2020.
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