Misbehaviour Movie Review: An activism well begun

The film opens with Sally (Keira Knightley), struggling to eke a place at a well-known university in an effort to make herself heard against a male-dominated preserve full of prejudice. But it’s not an easy fight and when her dissertation about women workers is called “niche”, she understands the value of a more in-your-face radical activism led by Jo (Jessie Buckley) and becomes a joiner rather than a bourgeois feminist observer. Sally is divorced, has a young, easily influenced kid at home, an understanding live-in partner and a mother who constantly questions her radical beliefs. 

But Sally is not the only one risking everything to fight the system - there are many more women in the movement who are putting their all on the line to make the world see, hear and acknowledge their true worth. On the other hand, the women competing at the pageant also have their own powerful reasons for being there. Churning up antagonism and depreciable humour as Master of ceremonies, is a slimy Bob Hope (Greg Kinnear) who accepts the invitation going against the wishes of his long-suffering wife (Lesley Manville). So, when the Miss World pageant hurtles towards its crowning movement, there’s a whole lot of face-offs en route to the winning of the prized crown. 

The screenplay by Rebecca Frayn may not have been able to do full justice to all the characters. Director Philippa Lowthorpe explores the division of class within feminism quite winningly - rendering the effort infectious and entertaining. The film is studded with earnest, sincere, heartfelt performances from an ensemble. The direction and pacing allow for complete involvement and the period setting adds weight to the authenticity of the overall effort.

Misbehaviour
Director: Philippa Lowthorpe
Cast: Alexa Davies, Charlotte Spencer, Greg Kinnear
Rating: ***

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