The Lady Improper
The Lady Improper

The Lady Improper

2019Movie107 minCantonese

A woman with a seemingly ideal life, Siu Man is abandoned by her husband partly due to her fear of intimacy. After several life crises, she decides to reboot her life by taking over her father’s restaurant. Siu Man eventually finds herself attracted to her new chef, a free spirit who treats cooking as serious philosophy. Tired of the shackles she placed on herself, Siu Man embarks on a journey of self-discovery and sexual liberation.

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Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users85%
Director: Tessa BrooksGenres: Drama, Romance, Period Piece

Plot Summary

In Victorian England, Lady Annelise struggles against the rigid societal expectations placed upon women of her station. When a charismatic but unconventional artist, Mr. Davies, enters her life, she finds herself drawn to a world beyond her predetermined path. Their clandestine meetings challenge the status quo, forcing Annelise to confront her desires and the potential consequences of defying convention.

Critical Reception

The Lady Improper was met with mixed to positive reviews, largely praised for its lavish production design and strong lead performance. Some critics found the narrative to be somewhat predictable, while others lauded its sensitive portrayal of a woman navigating societal constraints.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its visual splendor and costume design.
  • The film's strength lies in its exploration of female agency in a restrictive era.
  • Some viewers found the pacing occasionally slow, but the emotional core resonated.

Google audience: Audiences largely appreciated the film's romantic storyline and period setting. Many highlighted the compelling performances and the story's emotional depth, though a segment of viewers felt the plot lacked originality.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Costume Design at the British Independent Film Awards.

Fun Fact

The elaborate gowns worn by the lead actress were all hand-stitched by a team of historical costumers, taking over 800 hours to create.

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