People often say that men don’t know what they want, and it is a worthy assumption but at the same time a gross underestimation of their intelligence. When a man appears indecisive about a woman that he doesn’t entirely commit to or hop from one relationship to the next, with failed efforts by women to pin him down, it is a reasonable assumption. Said man will find himself smitten by a certain woman, wasting no time in committing or doing the unthinkable…run! Fear of commitment or a case of what Jamaicans would say…jangkro? This is pretty much the situation with the lead actor in Mr. Malcolm’s List, now showing on Netflix.
Based on the novel by Suzanne Allain, set in England’s Regency era, the romantic comedy, Mr. Malcom’s List is quintessentially Bridgerton’s ‘season’ of matchmaking for the young elites. With a few seasons under his belt, the tall, dark, handsome, charming, and rich Jeremiah 'Jeremy' Malcolm (Sope Dirisu) is the ultimate catch that no woman can hook. As attractive as he is, he is slowly earning a bad reputation, amid intrigue surrounding what exactly he’s looking for.
Well, it turns out that Mr. Malcolm has a list…a tough one he designed to choose his bride, knowing that there is a strong possibility that no woman will fulfill the criteria. He takes Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) to the Opera and is unimpressed by her lack of knowledge of history and politics. And to top it off, he didn’t like her being flirtatious, batting her eyelashes and all.
They say “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”, and Julia becomes relentless in her quest to bring him down when she ends up being humiliated as rejected by Mr. Malcolm after just one date, in the gossip column like that of Lady Whistledown’s in Bridgerton. The discovery that Mr. Malcolm has a ridiculous list by which he judges women, and knowing she only missed one on the list, sets the tone for Julia to even the score.
The situation is further compounded by the fact that Julia is now in her fourth season and has failed to find a match, so the clock is ticking for this young black beauty who cannot afford to have her prospects eroded based on a rejection by Mr. Malcolm.
Her childhood bestie, Selina Dalton, who is from a humble background, is enlisted and coached to meet the criteria on Mr. Malcolm’s List, then break his heart in a grand scheme.
What’s on London’s most eligible bachelor’s list of requirements?
Amiable and even-tempered
Handsome of countenance and figure
Candid, truthful and guileless
Converses in a sensible fashion
Educates herself by extensive reading
A forgiving nature
Charitable and altruistic
Graceful and well-mannered
Possesses musical or artistic talent
Has genteel relations from good society
The requirements seem reasonable, but watching this list unfold is quite intriguing, and now Mr. Malcolm must decide whether Selina is good enough. And if she is, will he stay or run?
But he must first get past a dashing soldier from her past who has appeared as a spoiler. Enter Kapitan Henry Ossory (Theo James)!
While Julia focuses on destroying Mr. Malcolm, whither her love life? There are twists and turns which make for a good and delightful saga.
I will not spoil it for you. Turn on your television and have a watch, especially if you’re missing Bridgerton.
The list is common among women who are often mocked for having one, as it is compared to the small number of items that men want. Mr. Malcom’s List challenges this notion; they may not have it inked like Mr. Malcolm, but men at the very least, do have a mental list. And sometimes, the woman who completes the list may still be rejected because she now has the power to weaken him. So, in a power move, a man may choose one who doesn’t have it all, for she is his safety net.
Like Julia, some women will be quite peeved at the idea of men having a list. How dare they?! Aren't women the 'prize'? What more could they want other than food and sex?
Well, trying to decipher what men want is like searching for a needle in a haystack. A woman may not know, but he surely does.
Oh, the games people play!
Do you have a list?
I Am Suzette Campbell
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