Whit Stillman's Love and Friendship is a true hidden treasure. With an impressive 96 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this 2016 period drama comfortably occupies the romantic comedy genre.

The screenplay, also crafted by Stillman, is based on Jane Austen's epistolary novel Lady Susan, written around 1794 but not published until 1871. Despite being adapted from the Lady Susan novella, the film takes its title from Austen's earlier work, Love and Freindship (sic).

Set in 18th-century England, Love and Friendship revolves around the recently widowed and financially strapped Lady Susan Vernon as she attempts to ascend the social ranks by securing affluent husbands for both herself and her daughter, Fredrica.

Kate Beckinsale delivers a bold interpretation of Austen's unconventional heroine, with Morfydd Clark providing solid support in the role of Fredrica. The supporting cast includes Chloe Sevigny, Xavier Samuel, Stephen Fry, Emma Greenwell, Morfydd Clark, James Fleet, and Jemma Redgrave.

Currently available on Amazon Prime Video, Love and Friendship premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 before hitting cinemas in May of the same year. The film was financed by Arte, the Netherlands Film Fund, and the Irish Film Board, and raked in more than $19 million worldwide against a production budget of roughly $3 million, .

The film garnered widespread acclaim from critics. One said: "This is the zingiest Austen adaptation you'll ever see, with the usual pastel palette and slow decorum abandoned in favour of acid colours and acid remarks, which keep the audience in stitches."

Another wrote: "Love and Friendship is an unexpected delight, a very dry and tremendously witty adaptation of a little known Jane Austen novella." A third critic said: "Love and Friendship is quick, clever and delightful, very funny and hugely entertaining," while another wrote: "This smart and saucy film is based on one of Austen's early stories, which wasn't actually published until after her death."

Another reviewer said: "Austen did like to have fun with her characters to show the stranger sides we all have. Watching this classy adaptation of one of her lesser-known works will remind you of that, and make you laugh." One critic heaped praise on Kate Beckinsale's performance, saying: "That the luminous Beckinsale is our corseted anti-heroine helps immensely."

In conversation with The Stanford Daily back in 2016, Kate said: "I'm very drawn to characters like Lady Susan. On paper, they're written as difficult, diabolical, or tricky.

"Then, as an actor, you must make them very charming. And you have to find the balance between the two.

"I really liked that in this, in Last Days of Disco, in Cold Comfort Farm, and Emma. It's a really fine tightrope to walk. Whit seems to be the king of these types."

Despite critical acclaim, the film didn't quite charm audiences, with a modest audience approval rating of 59 per cent.

One viewer summed up their experience as: "Disappointing as it was a dull and dreary old English story-line that didn't amount to much plus it wasn't the least bit funny for a comedy. Kate Beckinsdale is the only character that made it somewhat bearable." Another comment from a disappointed movie-goer bluntly states: "Boring. Nothing really happens".

Nevertheless, there were those who found sheer joy in the film, with one fan expressing: "This movie was utterly delightful. I laughed the whole way through at the dry wit which permeated the movie, and I loved the ending. 10/10 for me, I have my new favourite movie."

Echoing the sentiments, another cinema enthusiast enthused: "Witty, fun and delightful. Spot on performances by accomplished actors, beautiful settings, gorgeous period dress. If you want a fun escape from the current dreary state of world affairs, you'll enjoy this one. Improves after each viewing."

Whilst one viewer succinctly described the film as: "Fun, engaging, beautifully acted - and very Austenesque."