In this era of animation feature film blockbusters and computer-generated imagery comic-book $200-million budget superhero films setting $1 billion box-office records, it’s a small pleasure to find a small human-scale film. “Love & Friendship,” set in the 1790s, is a delicious, saucy, guilty pleasure paced by a confident, superb and hilarious lead actress Oscar-nominee worthy performance by Kate Beckinsale (“Underworld: Evolution,” 2006; “Van Helsing,” 2004; “Emma,” 1996) as Lady Susan Vernon in the screenplay by director Whit Stillman (“Damsels in Distress,” 2011; “The Last Days of Disco,” 1998) based on Jane Austen’s 1871 novella.

The recently-widowed Lady Susan gads about between relatives in London and the country. Vernon takes up temporary residence at her in-laws’ estate and plays matchmaker for her daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” 2016; “The Falling,” 2014), while on the lookout for a suitable suitor for herself.

Many of the scenes are presented and commented on by Lady Susan to her confidante Alicia Johnson (a delightful Chloë Sevigny, “Boys Don’t Cry” supporting actress Oscar nominee, 1999; TV’s “American Horror Story,” 2012-16). Vying for mother’s and daughter’s favors are Sir James Martin (superciliously funny British actor Tom Bennett) and Lord Manwaring (Irish actor Lochlann O’Mearáin). We won’t play spoiler and reveal who ends up with whom.

Beckinsale is fearsome in her body language, facial expressions, piercing eyes and tart tongue. Kate’s great. Amusing in supporting roles are Jenn Murray (Lady Lucy Manwaring), Emma Greenwell (Catherine DeCourcy Vernon), Justin Edwards (Charles Vernon) and Stephen Fry (Mr. Johnson).

Stillman uses a technique seen in some early 1930s’ films whereby characters are introduced in still or near-still images with their characters’ names underneath and a brief description of each’s attributes. It’s all tongue in cheek and quite juicy in “Love & Friendship.” The art of artifice is mined for comic gold throughout this comedy of manners and ill manners in acting style, dialogue, camera use and operatic interludes and classical music segues. The costumes (costume design by Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh) are gorgeous, interior sets (production design by Anna Rackard) are sumptuous and exteriors are lovely. If you’re a fan of “Masterpiece Theatre” and BBC fare, you’ll want to see what “Love & Friendship” is all about.

“Love & Friendship,”MPAA Rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children.) for some thematic elements; Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance; Run time: 1 hr., 32 min.; Distributed by Roadside Attractions.Credit Readers Anonymous:“Love & Friendship” was filmed in County Dublin, Ireland.

Box Office,June 3: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” opened at No. 1 with $35.2 million, knocking “X-Men: Apocalypse” from No. 1, with $22.3 million, $116.4 million, two weeks, and keeping “Me Before You” opening at No. 3 with $18.2 million. 4. “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” $10.6 million, $50.7 million, two weeks; 5.“The Angry Birds Movie,” $9.7 million, $86.6 million, three weeks; 6. ”Captain America: Civil War,” $7.5 million, $388.9 million, five weeks; 7. “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising,” $4.7 million, $48.5 million, three weeks; 8. “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,” $4.6 million, opening; 9. “The Jungle Book,” $4.2 million, $347.4 million, eight weeks; 10. “The Nice Guys,” $3.5 million, $29.1 million, three weeks. 11. “Love & Friendship,” $2.6 million, $7 million, four weeks.

Unreel,June 10:“The Conjuring 2,”R: James Wan directs Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Franka Potente and Maria Doyle in the horror film about a single mother in London raising four children in a haunted house.

“Now You See Me 2,”PG-13: Jon M. Chu directs Lizzy Caplan, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe and Mark Ruffalo in the action comedy sequel about The Four Horsemen team of magicians.

“Warcraft,”:PG-13: Duncan Jones (David Bowie’s son) directs Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster and Dominic Cooper in the action fantasy film based on the video game that puts the realm of Azeroth on the big screen as it’s under attack by orc warriors.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes