Misbehaviour (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The Miss World 1970 pageant takes place in London, United Kingdom. The film also shows scenes at University College London, where Sally Alexander studies, highlighting the academic environment where feminist discussions were flourishing during that era.

• london
• miss world
• university college london
• setting
• venue

The film is set in 1970, during the height of the women's liberation movement in the United Kingdom. This was a pivotal year for feminist activism, with the movement gaining significant public attention through protests and demonstrations.

• 1970
• time period
• 1970s
• historical setting
• era

The film centers on women organizing to question sexist norms and using public platforms to push for equality. Sally and Jo progress from academic curiosity about feminism to active protest, illustrating how feminist ideas translate into direct action that challenges societal expectations.

• feminism
• women's rights
• activism
• gender equality
• equality

The film highlights racial tensions within the Miss World pageant through contestants Jennifer Hosten and Pearl Jansen. Jennifer's victory as the first black woman to win Miss World becomes a symbolic milestone, representing progress in the broader global struggle against racism and oppression.

• racial equality
• jennifer hosten
• pearl jansen
• race
• miss world
• black woman first

Misbehaviour shows how live television becomes a battleground for protest, with the women's group attempting to interrupt the Miss World broadcast. The tension between Bob Hope's hosting, the audience reactions, and the political messaging demonstrates both the power and limitations of media-driven activism.

• media
• protest
• television
• broadcast
• activism
• miss world protest

Sally Alexander is a history student at University College London who becomes a leading figure in the women's rights movement. She transitions from academic curiosity about feminism to organized activism, planning to disrupt the Miss World broadcast. The film depicts her eventual achievement of becoming Professor of Modern History at the University of London.

• sally alexander
• keira knightley
• protagonist
• feminist
• history student

Jo Robinson is a determined feminist activist who introduces Sally Alexander to a women's group and helps coordinate the protest against the Miss World pageant. She remains committed to challenging sexism even under arrest and public scrutiny, representing the passionate activists driving the movement.

• jo robinson
• jessie buckley
• activist
• feminist
• protest organizer

Jennifer Hosten represents Miss Grenada in the 1970 Miss World competition and becomes historically significant as the first woman of color to win the title. Her victory sparks conversations about racism and empowerment, and she forms a mutual understanding with fellow contestant Pearl Jansen about the impact of racial discrimination.

• jennifer hosten
• miss grenada
• first black winner
• miss world
• history

Pearl Jansen appears as Miss Africa South, and her involvement highlights the racial dynamics of the Miss World pageant during the apartheid era. She shares a bond with Jennifer Hosten over their concerns about racism and the consequences of speaking out against oppressive systems.

• pearl jansen
• miss africa south
• apartheid
• racial tensions
• contestant

Bob Hope is portrayed by Greg Kinnear as the American comedian hired to host the Miss World broadcast. His jokes throughout the event frame the sexism and controversy that the protesters are challenging, making him a central figure in the clash between entertainment and social change.

• bob hope
• greg kinnear
• host
• comedian
• miss world host

The Women's Liberation Movement provides the ideological foundation for the protest that interrupts the Miss World broadcast. The movement's presence in the film illustrates how feminist activism in 1970s London used visible, public demonstrations to challenge societal norms around beauty, gender, and women's worth.

• women's liberation movement
• feminist protest
• 1970s feminism
• activism
• gender politics

Miss World 1970 became a landmark event due to the protest by the Women's Liberation Movement, which interrupted the live television broadcast to challenge the objectification of women. The competition also made history by crowned its first black winner, Jennifer Hosten, marking a significant moment for racial representation in beauty pageants.

• miss world 1970
• historical significance
• first black winner
• protest
• broadcast interruption