‘ Misbehaviour’ follows historic 1970MissWorld

Sally Alexander ( Keira Knightley), a “mature” University College London student and a mother, clashes with young feminist Jo Robinson ( Jessie Buckley) in “Misbehaviour.” But when Sally quickly discovers her seat at the academic table ismore of a high chair ( her words), she joins forceswith Jo and the brand- newwomen’s liberation movement. Exhausted and angrywith patriarchal standards equating physical attractiveness with awoman’sworth ( not to mention self- worth), their target is the 1970 Miss World competition, hosted by comedian Bob Hope ( Greg Kinnear). Meanwhile, we meet some of the pageant’s competitors, including the fed- up and favored- to- winMarjorie Johansson aka Miss Sweden ( Clara Rosager), aspiring broadcaster Jennifer Hosten aka Miss Grenada ( GuguMbatha- Raw), and an overwhelmed Pearl Jansen aka Miss Africa South ( Loreece Harrison), the first Black South African contestant.

D i rec ted by P h i l i ppa Lowthorpe and written by Gaby

Shiappe andRebecca Frayn, the film masterfully explores the dynamics of the dawn of the women’s liberationmovement in the UK, showing the intersections of class and race without pandering. Jessie Buckley’s Jo brings the fire, while MbathaRaw’s reserved Miss Grenada carries the tremendousweight of not only the patriarchy but white supremacy. Bonus: Leslie Manville is an absolute delight asHope’swife, Dolores, teeming with resentment of hiswomanizing and eventually reveling in the women’s liberation efforts during the show.

Fromwitnessing the power of women organizing and Hosten making history, and the ultimate reactions to Hope’s pageant bit about preferring “feelingwomen” to honoring “women’s feelings,” it’s a cathartic watch. Out on DVD now.

Also new on DVD

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■ “Blackbird”: A mother ( Susan Sarandon) suffering from ALS attempts to resolve issues with her daughters ( KateWinslet and MiaWasikowska) while planning her assisted suicide.

■ “The Mortal Storm”: The 1940 film following a family in Germany torn apart by fascismhas been remastered. Stars Frank Morgan, Margaret Sullavan, James Steard and Robert Young.

Out on digital HD

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■ “Blind”: Adepressed, visually impaired author ( Alec Baldwin) is reawakened by an affair with a married woman ( Demi Moore).

■ “LoveinDangerousTimes”: A couple ( Ian Stout and Tiffany Groben) begin a romance amid theworsening of the pandemic.

COURTESYOF SHOUT! STUDIOS Keira Knightley ( left) and Gugu Mbatha- Rawstar in “Misbehaviour.”