No. 76. (2020) MISBEHAVIOUR (British Film Festival; Perth) November 23rd.

 

Film No. 76 (2020)  November 23rd.  6:30 PM.  Cinema 2  LUNA SX Fremantle.

"Last year one hundred million people tuned in live to the Miss World final, more viewers than for the moon landings or the World Cup final" (The voice-over from a T.V. promotion ).

After sitting through a trailer the likes of that for Misbehavior (a very tight, well cut trailer) for upward of ten times I'm often unsure whether the film itself will live up to expectations. Thankfully in this case the slick trailer wasn't as good as the film. 

I had no idea that the events which took place at the Miss World contest of 1970 marked the start of the Women's Liberation Movement. The film is based on the true events (with some dramatic license) of the time. The annual Miss World competition, once a British bikini parade in the fifties had become a huge, televised world event by 1970. Bob Hope was there to host the show, so it made sense for a group of driven women to make a stance. Misbehavior does a great job of recounting the story.

The real life women, Sally Alexander and Jo Robinson played brilliantly by Keira Knightley and Jessie Buckley respectively have all the cards stacked on their side. These costume dramas depicting such antiquated views on how society viewed women, in this case only 50 years ago, are a healthy reminder for all. The odd gasp of disbelief will be heard from audiences at some of the dialogue because of its inappropriateness now.

Most of all Misbehavior is entertaining. Eric Morley (Rhys Ifans) and wife Julia (Keeley Hawes), the instigators of the 1951 bikini contest must warrant a story in themselves. Miss World had become their event. And while the trailer, (yes that trailer again) gave the impression Bob Hope (Greg Kinnear) was a major focus, he definitely wasn't. The greatest fascination for me was the story of the small step the competition of 1970 took towards race equalization in beauty pageants. Film entertainment at it's best. 10GUMS.