Misbehaviour

Misbehaviour is a 2020 British drama film, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, that tells the story of the 1970 Miss World competition and the women who fought against it. The movie stars Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Jessie Buckley.

The film is set during the Women's Liberation Movement in the UK, and follows the lives of two very different women. The first is Sally Alexander (Keira Knightley), a young student at the University of London who is tired of being told what to do and forced to follow society's standards of what it means to be a woman. The second is Jennifer Hosten (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a black woman from Grenada who has entered the Miss World competition with hopes of following her dreams and making a difference.

The film takes place during the time of the Women's Liberation Movement, when the movement was still in its infancy and women were fighting hard for their rights. Sally is one of the leaders of the movement in London and she rallies a group of women to protest against the Miss World competition.

At the same time, the Miss World competition is embroiled in its own controversy with one of the judges, Bob Hope (Greg Kinnear), making a series of inappropriate and sexist jokes on stage. Not only that, but the competition is being held during the height of the Vietnam War, and a group of anti-war protesters also stage a demonstration outside the venue.

As the competition progresses, Jennifer Hosten becomes one of the finalists, competing against women from all over the world. Despite being one of the favourites to win, she faces discrimination and racism from the judges and other contestants. The competition ultimately becomes a platform for the women to fight for their rights, and the protests escalate both outside and inside the venue.

The movie tackles various issues, including racism, sexism, and the objectification of women. The director does a great job of presenting the different views and opinions of the characters. It is fascinating to see how the women from different backgrounds and cultures come together to fight against the Miss World competition, despite their differences.

The cast is excellent, with Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw giving powerful performances. Jessie Buckley, who plays one of the women in the Women's Liberation Movement, also delivers a strong performance. Greg Kinnear gives a nuanced portrayal of Bob Hope, who is not presented as a villain, but as someone who is simply out of touch with the changing times.

Misbehaviour is a compelling and thought-provoking movie that raises relevant questions about gender equality and women's rights. The movie is not just about the Miss World competition, but about the struggle of women to be taken seriously and given the respect they deserve. The director does a great job of presenting this story in a way that is both entertaining and informative.

In conclusion, Misbehaviour is a must-watch movie for anyone interested in the Women's Liberation Movement and women's rights. It is well-written, well-acted, and the message of the movie is still relevant to this day.