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When director Whit Stillman was making his first movies, "Metropolitan" and "Barcelona," he showed a sharp eye for capturing social conventions and a capacity for whimsically mocking them.

In Stillman's new movie, "Love & Friendship," he again observes and takes aim at societal norms with a biting wit. The difference is his unseen, and long-deceased, collaborator: Jane Austen.

Stillman adapted this comedy of manners from an Austen novella, "Lady Susan," published decades after her death. Considering the similarities in their styles and subject matter, it's a wonder these two didn't get together years ago.

The action begins with Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), a flirtatious and scheming widow, hastily leaving the Manwaring home, where her actions have caused a minor scandal. Lady Susan means to lie low for a while with her American friend, Alicia Johnson (Chloƫ Sevigny), in London, but since Mr. Johnson (Stephen Fry) disapproves of his wife's friend, Lady Susan must seek temporary lodging elsewhere.

She finds a place with her late husband's brother, Charles Vernon (Justin Edwards), and his wife, Catherine DeCourcy Vernon (Emma Greenwell). Catherine is leery of Susan's schemes to find a rich husband for her daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark) and for herself as well. She is particularly dubious when those schemes are focused on Catherine's earnest but naive brother, Reginald (Xavier Samuel), who is utterly charmed by Lady Susan.

Stillman's rapid-fire script, which includes judicious use of title cards to introduce the dramatis personae, cuts through the clutter and frippery to which so many literary adaptations fall victim. The director finds in Austen's elegant language all that's necessary to say about Lady Susan's mercenary goals and the social pressures that mandate them.

The movie is a perfect showcase for Beckinsale, who tears through Austen's verbiage as thoroughly as her character devours any male in her presence. (It's not her first dance with Miss Jane. Beckinsale played the title role in a TV miniseries of "Emma" in 1996 and was a standout in the 1995 Austen-inspired satire "Cold Comfort Farm.") She's particularly good trading sharp commentary with Sevigny, in a reunion from Stillman's "The Last Days of Disco."

It would be impolite, though, to omit mention of "Love & Friendship's" secret weapon: Tom Bennett, a British comic actor who plays Sir James Martin, a moss-brained suitor for Lady Susan and Frederica. Bennett's apologetic patter raises Stillman's treatment of Austen's work to delightful daffiness.

Twitter: @moviecricket —

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'Love & Friendship'

Two students of social manners, Jane Austen and Whit Stillman, team up for a delightfully droll comedy.

Where • Area theaters.

When • Opens Friday, May 27.

Rating • PG for some thematic elements.

Running time • 92 minutes.