Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach will present the following free outdoor events for the community this summer:
Music Under the Stars: Petty Rumours
Thursday, July 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Join Petty Rumours for an unforgettable evening of music. This show will bring together over four decades of hits from Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac and the Traveling Wilburys. As this concert will be held outside, patrons should bring their own chairs and/or blankets. Food trucks will be on hand beginning at 6pm and performance begins at 7 p.m.
Music Under the Stars: 20 Highview
Tuesday, August 9 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Get down with 20 Highview, a nine-piece powerhouse band specializing in dance classics with funk grooves. They will cover classics from the 60’s up to the present day. As this concert will be held outside, patrons should bring their own chairs and blankets. Food trucks will be on hand beginning at 6pm and performance begins at 7 p.m.
MCPL Under the Stars Movie Night: ‘The Goonies’
Wednesday, August 17 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Join us for an outdoor viewing of the movie, The Goonies! As this movie will be held outside, patrons should bring their own chairs and blankets. In the event of rain, the program will be rescheduled for August 25. Food truck will be on hand beginning at 7 p.m. and movie begins at 8 p.m.
The Huntington Historical Society will present a series of summer art workshops for adults at the Conklin Barn, 2 High Street, Huntington starting on July 12:
Collaging
GIVEN BY: ANNE FOX
Free yourself of the usual art rules with Paper Collage. Merely with a pair of scissors, glue, and some maga zines, you can let your imagination fly and create a colorful work of art. Do abstract, do figurative, do land scapes. Let the scissors and your imagination be your guides.
Tuesday, July 12th 1-3 pm or Tuesday, July 26th 1-3 pm
Member price $35 Non-member price $45, Class size limited to 15
Fearless Watercolors – Only one spot left!
GIVEN BY: JAN GUARINO
Artist Jan Guarino
I was once you… Struggling to become a better watercolorist and felt I was missing many of the basics needed to be excel. Having taught watercolors for the past 15 years I know what you need and can help you build your painting skills with specific techniques, my clear process to putting paint and water to paper will help you more successfully express your passion for this medium. I’ll teach you in a way that emulates what I needed as a student and didn’t get. This Basics Workshop takes many pieces and pulls them together in this 3-evening workshop. Learn the correct brush strokes, understand color wheel, avoid muddy results, saving and correcting whites and much more. The outcome will be that you become empowered by clear and innovative ideas. You already have the passion and desire, combined with my suggestions ~ you can become a more confident water colorist. All it takes is you and practice!
*Three Wednesday nights-3-part series, 6:30-9:00 pm, *July 27th, August 3rd, August 10th Member price $120, non-member price $150, Class size limited to 20
Calligraffiti
GIVEN BY: HELEN MURDOCK-PREP
We all know how to type and text— but let’s get back to the power of the pen by learning the Art of Beautiful Handwriting in this style called, Calligraffiti! Using a brush marker, we’ll have fun expressing ourselves in this exciting, cursive lettering form that adds bold graffiti elements to make our words pop! Thursday, July 28th 1-3 pm or Thursday, August 11th 7-9pm
Member price $35 Non-member price $45, Class size limited to 20
*Day time workshops – coffee, tea and delicious baked goods will be served!
*Night time workshops- wine, seltzer, fruit and cheese will be served!
For more information or to register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
Markus Seeliger, third from left, with members of his lab, from left, Terrence Jiang. Aziz Rangwala, Ian Outhwaite, Victoria Mingione,YiTing Paung, and Hannah Philipose. Photo from Markus Seeliger
By Daniel Dunaief
When a dart hits the center of a target, the contestant often gets excited and adds points to a score. But what if that well-placed dart slipped off the board before someone could count the points, rendering such an accurate throw ineffective?
With some cases of cancer treatments, that’s what may be happening, particularly when a disease develops a mutation that causes a relapse. Indeed, people who have chronic myeloid leukemia typically receive a treatment called Imatinib, or Gleevac.
The drug works, hitting a target called a kinase, which this white blood cell cancer needs to cause its cells to continue to divide uncontrollably. Patients, however, develop a mutation called N368S, which reduces the effectiveness of the drug.
While mutations typically make it more difficult for a drug to bind to its target, that’s not what’s happening with this specific mutation. Like the dart hitting the center of a board, the drug continues to reach its target.
Instead, in a model of drug resistance several scientists have developed, the mutation causes the drug to decouple.
Pratyush Tiwary with this year’s US top 20 students who are going to the international chemistry olympiad. Photo from Toward
A team of experimental and computational researchers including Markus Seeliger, Associate Professor of Pharmacological Sciences at Stony Brook University, and Pratyush Tiwary, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Maryland, published two research papers explaining a process that may also affect the way mutations enable resistance to other drugs.
Seeliger described how different disease-associated mutations bind to Gleevac in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Working with scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, Seeliger used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or NMR. The researchers showed how the drug bound to its target and then released.
Understanding the way diseases like cancer develop such resistance could affect drug discovery, giving pharmaceutical companies another way to prepare for changes diseases make that reduce the effectiveness of treatments.
A ‘hot paper’
Tiwary published research in which Seeliger was a coauthor in late April in the journal Angewandte Chemie that the publication labeled a “hot paper” for its implications in the field. Tiwary developed a way to simulate the kinetic processes that enable the mutated kinases to release the drug.
Tiwary created an artificial intelligence model that extended the time he analyzed the drug-protein interaction from milliseconds all the way out to thousands of seconds.
“Even within the simulation world, if you can quantitatively predict a binding affinity, that’s amazing,” Seeliger said. “It’s extremely hard to calculate kinetics, and he got that right.”
Tiwary, who started talking with Seeliger about five years ago and has been actively collaborating for about three years, uses experimental data to inform the dynamics that affect his simulations.
Seeliger “had done the experiments of the dissociation rates beforehand, but did not have a way to explain why they were what they were,” Tiwary explained in an email. “Our simulations gave him insights into why this was the case and … insight into how to think about drugs that might dissociate further.”
Drug discovery
Tiwary hopes the work enables researchers to look at structural and kinetic intermediates in reactions, which could provide clues about drug design and delivery. While he worked with a single mutation, he said he could conduct such an analysis on alterations that affect drug interactions in other diseases.
He wrote that the computations, while expensive, were not prohibitive. He used the equivalent of 16 independent 64 CPUs for one to two weeks. He suggested that computing advances could cut this down by a factor of 10, which would enable the exploration of different mutations.
“The methods are now so easy to automate that we could run many, many simulations in parallel,” Tiwary explained. Machine learning makes the automation possible.
Given what he’s learned, Tiwary hopes to contribute to future drug begin that addresses mutation or resistance to treatment in other cancers. He also plans to continue to work with Seeliger to address other questions.
Next steps
Seeliger said he plans to extend this work beyond the realm of this specific type of cancer.
He will explore “how common these kinetic mutations are in other systems, other diseases and other kinases,” Seeliger said.
He would also like to understand whether other proteins in the cell help with the release of drugs or, alternatively, prevent the release of drugs from their target. The cell could have “other accessory proteins that help kick out the drug from the receptor,” Seeliger said.
The concept of drug resistance time comes from infectious disease, where microbes develop numerous mutations.
Seeliger, who is originally from Hanover, Germany, said he enjoys seeing details in any scene, even outside work, that others might not notice.
He described how he was driving with postdoctoral fellows in Colorado when he spotted a moose. While the group stopped to take a picture, he noticed that the moose had an ear tag, which is something others didn’t immediately notice.
As for the research collaboration, Seeliger is pleased with the findings and the potential of the ongoing collaboration between experimental and computational biologists.
“The computational paper, aside from using interesting new methodology, describes why things are happening the way they are on a molecular level,” he said.
'Spider-Man: No Way Home' will be shown at Crab Meadow Beach in Northport on July 13.
Supervisor Ed Smyth and the Town of Huntington Department of Parks and Recreation will launch the 2022 Drive-In Movies on Wednesday, July 13 at Crab Meadow Beach on Waterside Road in Northport, expanding additional movie dates to new locations across Town.
“In an effort to make Huntington’s recreational experiences more accessible, we are taking our Drive-In Movies on the road,” said Supervisor Ed Smyth. “I hope to see you all at the movies!”
The 2022 Town of Huntington Drive-In Movies lineup is as follows – all movies start at 8:30 p.m.:
Wednesday, July 13
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME
Crab Meadow Beach
Waterside Road, Northport
Wednesday, July 27
GREASE
West Neck Beach
West Neck Road, Lloyd Harbor
Wednesday, August 3
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
Dix Hills Park
Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills
Wednesday, August 10
BLACK PANTHER
Huntington Senior Center
423 Park Avenue, Huntington
Wednesday, August 17
ENCANTO
Huntington Senior Center
423 Park Avenue, Huntington
*Admittance is free and limited to Town of Huntington residents.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and movies start at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m). Movies are shown on a 40-foot screen, easily seen from all parking spots.
Movie audio will be broadcast on FM radio frequency (channel 99.3) to watch the movie from a vehicle. There will also be speakers for attendees who bring lawn chairs to sit outside.
For information, or in the case of inclement weather, please check out the Parks & Rec Facebook page or visit huntingtonny.gov/parks
For up-to-the-minute movie information, call (631) 351-3089.
The Reboli Center for Art & History’s July artisan of the month is Chris Kelsch.
Chris Kelsch, born and raised in Stony Brook, creates incredible birdhouses, in a wide range of unique woods. He developed his distinctive style over years of education, experimentation, and adventures.
Chris credits his shop teacher, Dean Jenkins, with inspiring his passion for woodworking. After serving in the military, Chris attended Delhi Technical College where he studied carpentry and woodworking.
After college, Chris joined the team of woodworkers at Tanglewood Conservatories in Maryland where they design and build custom high-end conservatories and greenhouses from exotic hardwoods. His role was to focus on the intricate architectural aspects such as corbels, pilasters and detailed window frames to house the stained glass windows.
His fondness for exotic woods led him to discover a mill in Pennsylvania that provides Martin Guitar with beautiful rare woods. He also found amazing antique barn woods.
Birdhouse by Chris Kelsch
When Chris retired in 2017, he started making bird, bat, butterfly and bee houses. “I enjoy creating safe houses for wildlife,” he explains. I love using rare wood and antique barn wood as they create solid birdhouses. The stability of these woods ensures a solid and quality house. I also appreciate how beautiful grains contrast with the patina of barn wood.” He noted that some of the barn wood he uses is 300 years old.
“I am thrilled to be able to display my work at the Reboli Center,” Chris said. Joe Reboli was a big part of my life as my older brothers were friends with him. In fact, my mother referred to Joe as her ‘other’ son. The Reboli Center is close to my heart, and all involved are beautiful people with a beautiful mission.”
Lois Reboli, president and founder of The Reboli Center said, “I have known Chris a long time and love his work. His birdhouses are so beautiful and unique that it is a pleasure to sell his pieces in the Design Shop and to have him as our July artisan.”
The Reboli center is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call 631-751-7707.
Sweetpotato Wedge & Purple Cabbage Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Take Summer Grilling to New Heights with a Versatile Veggie
(Family Features) The fresh flavor of favorite foods pulled hot off the grill makes summer cookouts a treasured pastime for families across the country. This year, you can make new memories at those backyard barbecues by keeping in mind that grilling isn’t only about charred burgers and steaks – delicious, grilled vegetables can be just as enjoyable.
Nutritious and full of antioxidants, sweetpotatoes are a perfect option for summer recipes as they’re easy to grill in a recipe like Sweetpotato Wedge & Purple Cabbage Salad with Poppyseed Dressing. Hearty yet light for a tasty side dish, this salad is effortlessly simple and combines crispy purple cabbage, juicy tomato, velvety feta and poppyseed dressing around sweetpotato wedges as the star of the show.
Sweetpotato Wedge & Purple Cabbage Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission
YIELD: Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
2 sweetpotatoes
1/2 head purple cabbage
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
6 tablespoons poppyseed dressing, divided
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
3 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat grill to 400 F.
Scrub and wash sweetpotatoes. Cut each into six wedges. (If sweetpotatoes are long, consider cutting wedges in half.) Parboil sweetpotatoes 5 minutes, drain and cool 5 minutes.
Shred cabbage into thin slices.
Toss sweetpotatoes with olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste.
Place sweetpotato wedges on grill perpendicular to grates over direct heat; grill about 3 minutes on each side, or until tender-crisp with grill marks on each side. Remove from grill and set aside.
In zip-top bag or large bowl, toss cabbage with 4 tablespoons poppyseed dressing until coated. Add parsley and tomatoes; toss.
To serve, place sweetpotato wedges on bed of dressed cabbage and drizzle with remaining poppyseed dressing then sprinkle with cheese.
When people think of watercolors, Claude Monet’s technique is perhaps a person’s primary reference. But watercolor collective Night Heron Artists presents evidence that it is time to expand one’s mental palette with its latest exhibit, Let the Sun Shine, which explores the versatility of the form. The show will be on view on the second floor of the Port Jefferson Village Center through Aug. 24.
“In my opinion watercolor is very different today than what it was; there are pieces today that are not watery, but more specific and defined,” said Night Heron Treasurer Ellen Ferrigno.
‘Poppy’ by Ellen Ferrigno
Featuring approximately 110 works of art by nearly three dozen artists, the exhibit also includes acrylic, gouache, pastel, and multi-media pieces in addition to the many watercolors.
“Most artists explore other mediums and it enhances the show, having some pieces that stray from watercolor,” said Night Heron artist Gail Chase.
Participants submitted on average three pieces to the show and many of them contributed to a collaborative watercolor, a focal point of Let the Sun Shine. The as-of-yet untitled work, a 20”x22” painting of sunflowers, was inspired by the war in Ukraine.
“With a war raging in Ukraine that is threatening its sovereignty, we felt that an awareness of the people’s courage and perseverance in their battle to remain free would best be illustrated through their flower, the sunflower,” said Ferrigno.
The painting is encompassed by several individual sunflower renderings. This arrangement greets visitors as they come up the stairs to the 2nd floor of the Village Center, where the exhibit is displayed.
While the artists frequently present one collaborative work in their exhibits —they once made a puzzle for the Port Jefferson Village Center and last year they painted birds on individual canvases that were then placed on a driftwood tree — this is on a different scale.
“This project was much more involved and a bigger piece as well,” Chase said. Working on it three people at a time, the Night Herons completed the endeavor in about one month, a passion project for the group.
‘Gaizing Ball’ by Leslie Hand
“People really spent time on this and you can see that; they didn’t just slap paint on the paper. The majority of our members contributed to it,” Ferrigno said.
Such attention to detail and collaboration are tenets the Night Herons have observed since founder Adelaide Silkworth first invited an assortment of artistically minded people to paint at her house on Night Heron Drive in Stony Brook some 30 years ago.
When she moved out of state, the Night Herons, having realized that they did not want to stop meeting despite the loss of their mentor, found a new home at the Port Jefferson Village Center.
An egalitarian group, there are no regular instructors, rather participants share their expertise and knowledge with their compatriots, enabling people to organically improve their skills.
“We occasionally invite a guest presenter to teach different techniques: landscapes, for example, but generally we assist each other,” Night Heron Mary-Jo Re said. “There are really so many excellent artists and you learn so much.”
General administrative tasks, such as coordinating visiting artists, updating procedures, and finalizing bylaws, are handled by two co-leaders, the secretary, and treasurer. The Night Heron Artists meet every Thursday on the third floor of the Village Center, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The lighting on the third floor, overlooking harbor, is the best for painting,” Re said. Ferrigno added that it is “a most inspiring view for artists.”
‘New Beiggnings’ by Gail Chase
There are currently 30 dues-paying members and 3 guests who pay on a per diem basis. Membership is $7.50 a week, paid in 10 week increments. Guests pay $10 per class. “We have artists of all levels, people who are just beginning, people midway though their art journey, and people who are very accomplished,” Chase said.
Having recently moved to a larger room on the third floor, each person now has his or her own table at which to work. The collective, currently seeking new members, prides itself on being a welcoming, inclusive haven for art enthusiasts.
“What I love about the group is how generous everyone is with their expertise: sharing paints, discussing technique, brainstorming ideas for paintings, and critiquing each other’s work,” co-leader Leslie Hand said. “My own work has grown in leaps and bounds due to this group. My mother was a watercolorist and I think she would be proud of how far I have come.”
Indeed, creative fulfillment and personal connections are perhaps the most profound legacy of the Night Heron Artists and Let the Sun Shine.
“This whole experience of being a Night Heron is one of the joys and blessings of my life,” Chase said.
The community is invited to an art reception on Friday, July 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Port Jefferson Village Center is located at 101 E Broadway, Port Jefferson. For more information, cal 631-473-4778 or visit www.portjeff.com/gallery.
The Town of Brookhaven will offer a Sunset Yoga class at Cedar Beach, 244 Harbor Beach Road, Mt. Sinai on Thursdays July 14, 21, 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. and Aug. 4, 11 and 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. This class offers a balanced approach to yoga consisting of physical postures, breathing exercises and relaxation to help restore physical, emotional and mental health and well-being. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat, blanket or pillow to sit on. $35 per 6-week session. Pre-register by Tuesday, July 12. Call 631-451-6112 for more information or to register.
Catch a free screening of 'Encanto' in Port Jefferson or St. James this week.
PROGRAMS
Summer Drop-In Workshop
The Heckscher Museum in Huntington will offer Summer Drop-In workshops all summer. Photo from Heckscher Museum
Join the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington for a Summer Drop-In Workshop every Thursday through Aug. 18 including July 7 and 14 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Create fun works of art in a variety of materials inspired by artwork in the Museum’s Collection and exhibitions. Each week’s project will be exciting and different. Programs will be held both in the Museum and in Heckscher Park. Fee is $10 per child, adults free, payable at the door. (Fee includes all art supplies and general admission to the museum.) Call 380-3230 for more information.
Pop-Up Saturday
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization kicks off its Pop-Up Saturdays at the Stony Brook Village Center’s Inner Court, 97 Main Street, Stony Brook Village on July 9 with a magic show by Magic of Amore from 2 to 3 p.m. Fast-paced & original, this one-of-a-kind performance combines magic, illusion, comedy, and music with lots of audience participation. Rain date is the following day. Free. Call 751-2244 for further details.
Family Concert
Darlene Graham & The Shades of Green Band will present a free family concert at the Huntington Summer Arts Festival at Heckscher Park’s Chapin Rainbow Stage, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington on July 12 at 7 p.m. filled with play time, dancing, bubbles, freeze dance, snuggle time, and songs geared toward family time and imagination. Bring seating. Visit www.huntingtonarts.org.
Stars & Stripes Crafts
In perfect timing with the Fourth of July, the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor offers Stars & Strips crafts Tuesdays to Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. through July 10. Explore the museum’s exhibits and then help yourself to red, white, and blue crafts in the workshop. Free with admission fee of $6 adults, $5 kids/seniors. Call 367-3418.
Magic of Amore
Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents the Magic of Amore on July 10 at 2 p.m. Part of Long Island State Parks Summer Entertainment, this magic show will amaze and astound no matter your age! Colorful handkerchiefs turn to magic canes and objects materialize out of thin air. BYO chairs or blanket. $10 vehicle use fee. Call 269-4333.
Nature T’s
Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Tiny Tots program, Nature T’s, on July 14 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 and their parents will connect with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. Bring your own t-shirt for a nature craft. $4 per child. To register visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.
Toothy Tuesdays
Drop by the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor on Tuesdays in July for Toothy Tuesday, a shark tooth excavation workshop, from 2 to 4 p.m. Design and create a necklace or keychain featuring your fossil treasure. Admission + $10 participant. Call 367-3418 for more information.
Movies
‘Encanto’
The Village of Port Jefferson kicks off its Movies on the Harbor series with a screening of Disney’s Encanto at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson on Tuesday, July 12 at dusk. Bring seating. Rain date is the next evening. Free. For more information, visit www.portjeff.com or call 631-473-4724.
‘Spider-Man’
The Town of Huntington presents a free drive-in movie screening of Spider-Man at Crab Meadow Beach, Waterview Street W., Fort Salonga on Wednesday, July 13 starting at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 631-351-3089 or visit www.huntingtonny.gov
‘Encanto’
St. James Chamber of Commerce invites the community to Deepwells Farm County Park, 497 Route 25A, St. James for a screening of Disney’s Encanto on the great lawnon Thursday, July 14 at dusk. Come early at 7 p.m. for fun and and games. Bring seating.Rain date is July 21. Call 631-584-8510 for further details.
Theater
Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’
The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid from July 2 to July 24. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. All seats are $25. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.
‘Puss-In-Boots’
Join Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson for a hilarious musical re-telling of Puss-In-Boots, the tale of a boy and his ingenious feline, from July 8 to July 30 with a special sensory sensitive performance on July 10. When Christopher inherits his father’s clever cat, he sets out on an adventure that takes him to the palace of King Vexmus and beyond and learns that faith comes from within. $10 per person. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We’re in a Play!’
The Smithtown Center for the Performing Art presents Mo Willems’ Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We’re in Play! outdoors on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society. 239 E. Main St., Smithtown from July 9 to July 29. An elephant named Gerald and a pig named Piggie are best, best, “bestus” friends, but Gerald worries that something could go wrong that would end their friendship. Piggie is not worried at all. She’s even happier and more excited than usual. That’s because she and Gerald are invited to a party hosted by the Squirrelles, three singing squirrels who love to have a good time. And so begins a day when anything is possible. Tickets are $18 per person. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.
‘Junie B. Jones The Musical’
Children’s theater continues at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport with Junie B. Jones The Musical from July 23 to Aug. 28. Sneak a peek into the “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal” of the outspoken and lovable Junie B. Jones! Based on the top selling children’s book series, this upbeat musical follows the spunky Junie as she navigates through the ups and downs of her first day of 1st grade. All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Sope Dirisu and Freida Pinto in a scene from 'Mr. Malcolm's List.'
Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Zawe Ashton in a scene from 'Mr. Malcolm's List.' Photo by Ross Ferguson/Bleeker Street
Sope Dirisu and Oliver Jackson-Cohen in a scene from 'Mr. Malcolm's List.' Photo by Ross Ferguson/ Bleeker Street
Ashley Park in 'Mr. Malcolm's List.' Photo by Ross Ferguson/Bleeker Street
Sope Dirisu and Freida Pinto in a scene from 'Mr. Malcolm's List.' Photo by Ross Ferguson/ Bleeker Street
Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel
With the success of Bridgerton, Regency has currently eclipsed Victoriana as the go-to for period drama. While Jane Austen’s seminal work, Pride and Prejudice, has never been far from television and cinema, Dickens has more often been the primary source for historical adaptation.
In 2009, Suzanne Allain self-published Mr. Malcolm’s List and adapted it for the screen. After a 2015 podcast reading, Emma Holly Jones acquired the rights along with producer Laura Rister. A short film titled Mr. Malcolm’s List: Overture, directed by Jones, was released online in 2019. Subsequently, the novel was published by Berkley Books in 2020.
The year is 1818, a time of tea and quills, empire waists, and oversized top hats. Mr. Jeremiah Malcolm (Sope Dirisu), the wealthy second son of an earl, seeks a bride. With “twenty thousand a year,” looks, and charm, he is the season’s catch. Courting and then moving on, none of the prospective ladies match the criteria on the titular list. These items include an amiable disposition and a knowledge of politics, a sense of charity, and a host of other desirable traits.
The lovely but vaguely shallow Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) fails to engage him during their time at the opera. Shortly after, a humiliating newspaper caricature featuring Julia’s rejection circulates throughout London. Bent on revenge, the spurned Julia—now out for a crushing four seasons—sends for her friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto). Julia grooms Selina as the perfect trap for Malcolm by having her embody all of the things on the list. Daughter of a poor Sussex vicar, Selina—surprise, surprise—is the perfect match for the man.
While the plot is simplistic, it fits logically into the Regency world. With drawing rooms and drinking clubs, Mr. Malcolm’s List comfortably evokes the environment, if not the works of Jane Austen. The priority of marriage and money swirls around the principals, cloaking them in the power of society and the prevailing poison of gossip. Here, “what people say is what matters,” and often, they are “judged and found wanting.”
The elements for a delightful romp into the intrigue of romance gather at the outset as Julia launches into action.
So why doesn’t it work? The answer is simple: They are all too nice. Everyone is not just charming but, for the most part, kind. Even Julia, at her most vindictive, manages to be likable. The narrator states that Malcolm is a nice person. He is no Mr. Darcy, with his haughtiness and self-absorption. He has the reputation of a “trifler”—but his actions seem to belie this. Selina has no side to her; absent is the delightful edge that Elizabeth Bennet possesses, which gives her character dimension.
Also, there is a dearth of characters that are “more than.” One looks for the mercenary Mrs. Bennet, the oily Mr. Collins, or the roguish Wickham. Here, only two minor characters—an older gentleman pursuing Selina and Selina’s twice-wed cousin, the flittering Mrs. Covington (a welcome scenery-chewing Ashley Park)—approach anything resembling the appealingly grotesque. The overall blandness of nice people makes for what amounts to a tedious two hours.
Pinto is smart, strong, and always watchable. She never allows Selina to become petulant, even when most frustrated. Dirisu embodies Malcolm with a wryness that peeks throughout. His good looks, rich voice, and ability to make even the smallest shift count create a likable (if too likable) protagonist. Oliver Jackson-Cohen manages to elevate the sidekick caught between opposing factions, mining the humor; sadly, he mostly disappears halfway through the film. Given the character’s inconsistency, Ashton finds some arc in Julia. Divian Ladwa’s servant John is funny but short-changed, as are all the “below stairs” characters.
There are weighty discussions about life and love but little wit. Sparks require friction, and the film lacks discord. Even the gossip appears fangless, and the hurdles seem low. Allain’s screenplay is so by the numbers; there is never doubt, not just about the outcome but what will happen moment to moment. Jones’ direction captures time and place but lacks tone. A vague sitcom quality hovers around the edges, including Selina’s clumsy training montage. The costumes and settings are detailed, lush, and a visual feast. But these are not enough to sustain interest.
Comparisons can easily be made to Bridgerton, especially in the show’s second season, a less-than-subtle take on Pride and Prejudice. Both are style over substance. But where Bridgerton manages to find some surprising choices, the facile and often banal Mr. Malcolm’s List offers no such revelations.
In the end, one would hope for more Thackeray’s Vanity Fair and less Hallmark Movie of the Week. Nice is nice. But it isn’t fun.
Rated PG, the film is now playing in local theaters.
Prev
