disappointed in underlying themes

Rating: 6/10 (18 April 2010)

While the acting was splendid and the cast consisted of many of my favorite actors, I was quite disappointed in the subtext. I found it quite sexist and insulting. Several of the male cast chose to be with much younger women who were not their equals. The most overt statement was made by one man who said English women were stuck up. No wonder if the men only appreciate subservient women. The Prime Minister, played by Hugh Grant, chose to fall for a much younger, uneducated and insecure woman who was a low level member of his staff. (I found it incredible that such a person would be on his staff to begin with.) The writer played by Colin Firth, although suffering from an earlier betrayal by his partner, falls for a younger housekeeper who he can't communicate with due to the language barrier. Clearly a substantive relationship. The executive played by Alan Rickman falls for a much younger, blatant tart on his staff when he has the charming and elegant Emma Thompson at home. What does this all say about men's choices? They don't want an equal, they want sexy staff at home. In other aspects, this movie seemed to contain forward thinking. However, the overall message was unenlightened and depressing.