Mr. Malcolm’s List is complete fluff with little weight or substance, but clearly everyone involved knew that and decided to make a sweet little film. The story is harmless, though I do wish Julia was the main protagonist--the actress playing her was clearly having the time of her life and she carried the movie on her back every step of the way.
Mr. Malcolm himself was incredibly...boring. Every time he opened his mouth I stifled a yawn. Seriously, could the casting director not have found someone more...anything. I don’t see how anyone could stay mad at this guy or have any strong emotions about him at all--he’s just way too bland. I’m not entirely sure if this is the actor’s fault, the writing, the bland character to begin with, or the directing, but all of these things come together to make a truly forgettable character.
Plus, his list is hardly unreasonable. Everything on his list is something any sensible person would want when picking out a boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/spouse. He just happens to be nerdy enough to have written his list down...and keeps it in his coat pocket, taking it with him everywhere he goes...That’s kind of dorky, but not particularly insulting.
All in all, I wish this bit of fluff had a sharper bite. Jane Austen, whose books clearly inspired this movie/book, had a far sharper and deeper bite.
Jane Austen had social commentary, this movie has...eye candy and geese.
This movie is by no means bad, but it’s not nearly as good or as clever as it wants to be and SHOULD BE. It’s just standard, like a big screen Hallmark movie, just with Jane Austen trappings instead of Christmas decorations.