Vanity Fair (Widescreen)
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Movie Reviews of Vanity Fair (Widescreen)
Movie Review: Not Thackeray but well worth it. Vanity Fair is a Quality Film
Summary: 4 Stars
Vanity Fair as a movie differs greatly from Thackeray's book but as an interpretation it makes great film. The crux of the problem is that the original book, written as a series by course lends itself to a mini series and not to a feature film. The time constraints and the audience desired plot line of feature film are completely incongruous with the Thackeray's work. There is no happy ending or even a character you feel complete compassion for in the original. However, this is not the original but a two hour interpretation based on Thackeray's work that is quite enjoyable, intense and visually engaging - so long as you remember this is you should truly enjoy this film.
Using amazing sets, slightly over the top costume and very real good cinematography Vanity Fair shows early 19th century England as one might truly imagine it. In the era of Napoleonic wars fortunes were reversed in a single day and while England saw no combat on her shores happenings on the continent affected each and every Briton as seen through Amelia Sedley and Becky Sharp. But enough of the of the historical, moving on to the plot which revolves around the relationship between the well-to-do Amelia Sedley and the clever Rebecca Sharp who unwilling to accept her station in life does everything possible to break the very real social barriers of regency England. This in itself is interesting as her past continually makes itself known. After Waterloo and longer after marrying into the family for whom she was a governess everything appears to be going well for Becky and horribly for Amelia whose husband fell in battle and has been renounced by her family. But of course fortune reverses itself once more and after a perceived affair her husband, who was not making money and just got out of debtor's prison, walks out on her only to receive a governorship. Finally Becky (and Amelia) finds her love and in an all too happy of endings parades through India with Amelia's Brother.
With too many plot twists and tangles to describe this movie does require an audience's attention. While the accents aren't rough and the language is simple for 19th century England there are many subtleties and twists that build the plot. For this reason the DVD is a good buy. Along with many extras and documentaries the DVD is truly worth the purchase. The film definitely has a few flaws but overall it portrays 19th century England beautifully although I think the costume designer took a bit too much liberty is designing a few all too opulent costumes. The acting too is quite well borrowing from a few great British actors and even Reese Witherspoon surprisingly does a good job. This is a film to see if you haven't seen it. It has something for everyone. While being quite romantic it has plenty of violence. If you have seen this film and enjoyed it get the DVD you will enjoy seeing it again or again and again and the extras make it a great deal. Enjoy
Ted Murena
Movie Review: Quite "Fair"
Summary: 4 Stars
Reese Witherspoon sheds her ultra good-girl image in the latest remake of William Thackeray's "Vanity Fair." While director Mira Nair doesn't quite manage to give this film the kind of life it deserves, she does give it a lush Indian spicing. And Witherspoon's performance is a pleasant surprise.
Becky Sharp (Reese Witherspoon) is a social climber. Born in poverty to an impoverished artist and a chorus girl, she is determined to rise from the gutter and become a wealthy lady. So she uses her wit and brains to become a governess to Sir Pitt's (Bob Hoskins) kids. After befriending Sir Pitt's sister (Eileen Atkins), she makes her move -- marrying Pitt's son (James Purefoy).
Despite a setback, Becky won't let her dreams die -- she continues using her quick wits to fight into London's high society. "I think I could be a good woman if I had £5,000 a year," she announces at one point. She acquires money, men, and risks losing it all when her husband's debts peak, and scandal ends her marriage.
The sprawling novel by William Thackeray is a tough one to adapt. It sprawls over decades and quietly punctures the class system of the times. And there's the fact that most costume dramas are as constricting as a corset. But the backstabbing and duplicity, heaving bosoms and love affairs give it the feeling of a costume drama turned soap opera. It's a permitted guilty pleasure.
Nair -- best known for the rollicking comedy "Monsoon Wedding" -- follows in the footsteps of Ang Lee by dipping into classic costume drama. She gives a Bollywood flair to this story. The dancing, the lighting, the costumes (Reese's star-spangled veil and over-the-top eye makeup) are all more vibrant than you would expect in a costume drama. The one problem is that halfway through the film, there's a sort of dead zone. The film picks itself up somewhat, though not entirely.
The biggest deviation from the novel is the lead. The character of Becky Sharp is softened up quite a bit, making her much more sympathetic, if a little less engaging. But in a world of hypocrites and liars, it seems fitting that she's just swimming with the current. And she's likably strong-willed, since she never lets anything stop her for long.
Witherspoon, however, does an excellent job with a slightly different interpretation of Sharp. Though a few moments -- such as when Becky's husband dumps her -- are rather fake, overall Witherspoon seems to be relishing being a wily social-climber. Romola Garai gives a solid performance as Becky's pal; and Eileen Atkins is enormous fun as the hypocritical Mathilda. And while Jonathan Rhys-Meyers has a faux-hawk (huh?), he's pretty good.
Mira Nair's "Vanity Fair" isn't without its flaws, but it's still a voluptous, sensuous drama. And star Reese Witherspoon finally gets to play the anti-hero, carrying the film off well.
Movie Review: Depends on what you want
Summary: 4 Stars
I give this four stars out of five. Whether you agree with me or not depends on what you're looking for in this movie.
First off, don't watch this if you're not a costume/period-piece fan. The storytelling is pretty choppy - never good enough to take attention away from the eye-catching costumes and sets and attention to detail. This is not "The Gladiator". If you *are* a fan, you'll enjoy the gorgeous colors, lavish costumes and sets, which undoubtedly cost a ton of money and benefited immensely from the direction of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair.
Second, don't watch this if you're looking for a repeat of the book. Vanity Fair the movie is not Vanity Fair by William Thackeray. The novel is a satire with a negative focus on Becky Sharp, the social climber. The movie tries to make Becky into a modern, courageous woman who attempts to break down social barriers. This ultimately fails because Thackeray never intended it to happen. The movie comes out with a muddled message - was Becky good? was Amelia bad? what the heck is the director trying to say? - and in an attempt to make Becky positive, cuts out some of the nastier parts of her character that made her such a riveting "bad" heroine. Basically it wanders away from the book but never comes up with anything better.
On the other hand, the acting is worth watching. Reese Witherspoon is pretty fair - no Oscar here, but better than most. The main delights, though, are the (mostly British) supporting characters. Gabriel Byrne sneers wonderfully (great villain!), Rhys Ifan is heartbreaking in puppy-dog-eyed loyalty and the entire Crawley family provide well-executed comic relief. And James Purefoy, in my opinion, carries the show as Rawdon - he strikes the perfect balance as the thick, raw gambler who is also a fine soldier and lover. The only real flaw was Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as George Osborne. No fault of his own, but he looks a bit too villainous to pass for the shallow cad he's supposed to portray (not to mention his script characterization was awful)
The scenes between Becky and Rawdon are probably the best in the movie. Purefoy and Witherspoon have great chemistry, and Purefoy especially is adept at conveying emotions to the audience without uttering a word - a wry twitch of the mouth, a dark look, a quick smile. He makes the best of his limited lines and generally carries the entire love story through his talent. The extended scenes in the dvd are a must if you're interested in what happened after their breakup. The movie would probably have been more consistent if it had used the alternate ending between Becky and Rawdon, Jr. than the current one (no spoilers, but I thought it was pretty jarring).
So if costume dramas, headstrong female characters and British actors are your thing, go ahead. If not, skip this one -- it won't be worth watching.
Movie Review: "She's not just a social climber - she's a mountaineer."
Summary: 4 Stars
Mira Nair's adaptation of Vanity Fair fails as an accurate dramatization of Thackeray's Victorian novel, but it succeeds on its own terms, as a film that captures the basic story, then adds a contemporary, Hollywood touch. Reese Witherspoon plays the conniving Becky Sharp, the daughter of an artist and an opera singer who befriends Amelia Sedley (Romola Garai) and thus begins her entry into Victorian high society. Becky discovers that getting the right husband is not as easy as she had hoped since British society closes ranks whenever she gets close. Meanwhile, Amelia pines for her reluctant fiancé George (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) , a man who continues to look for a more suitable wife at his father's request as he strings Amelia along. As the two women struggle forward in their lives, they cross paths, then diverge, only to meet up again later. Trailed by her admirer Dobbin (Rhys Iffans), Amelia fails to see him as her key to happiness. And clear-eyed Becky manipulates herself into difficult situations that include a disinherited gambling husband and an aristocrat who expects debts to be re-paid. Nair supplies the requisite Hollywood ending that is, fortunately for the viewer, lush eye-candy, even if it is too neat.
Whereas Thackeray's novel is bitingly satiric, Nair's "Vanity Fair" is much gentler, with Witherspoon's Becky more likeable and less calculating than Thackeray's. The film is more of a romp than social commentary. Here, Becky is often a victim instead of a victimizer; yet, Witherspoon plays her as the complex woman she should be. That Witherspoon of "Legally Blonde" fame could pull off Becky Sharp, even this altered one, says much about her acting ability. Her expression shows an amazing range of emotions and thought, and she brings just the right amount of spiritedness to her character. Romola Garai plays the blindly romantic Amelia well, but she is upstaged, as she should be, by Witherspoon.
Thackeray's Vanity Fair is a large, complex novel with multiple plots unfolding simultaneously, and the screenplay has trouble at times advancing them on film. There are huge gaps in character motivation and situations, either because of editing or sloppy writing. While these points can be confusing, the film's pacing and rich scenes ensure that the viewer is quickly diverted from them. Often, this film is visually arresting, and what it loses in translation between media, it gains in visual detail.
"Vanity Fair" is an entertaining period piece, but it's not fully Thackeray. Students won't get away with watching the movie instead of reading the book since the screenplay changes both the flavor and even some of the plot points of the original. Viewers who don't care about accuracy will enjoy Witherspoon's performance and the story Nair tells.
Movie Review: Warm Hearted Regency Legally Blonde
Summary: 4 Stars
Becky Sharp (Reese Witherspoon) and Amelia Sedley (Romola Garai) leave Miss Pinkerton's School for Girls as an orphan and a cosseted young woman of means, but the best friends will see their fortunes reversed in "Vanity Fair."
Director Mira Nair has reimagined William Makepeace Thackeray's novel of 19th century Regency England as a sweet if sometimes melodramatic Bollywood movie. While the high production values mean the films looks great, and Reese Witherspoon shines at the heart of it as Becky, the abrupt nature of changes in the plot make it hard to sustain your suspension of disbelief. One scene to the next, decades may of gone by, or a couple have fallen in love.
At the start of the film Becky is suitably introduced by putting on a puppet show which foreshadows her future, and with the sale of the portrait of her deceased mother, puts a price on her sentimentality. The man who buys it shadows her later life, before coming back to try and purchase her self-respect.
Vanity Fair is subtitled `a novel without a hero.' Although the Bollywood treatment gives Becky more warmth, it also makes her downfall harder to understand. Also George Osborne (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers from "Bend It Like Beckham) is never given a good reason for marrying Amelia, who he only became engaged to because of his father. Quickly George is flirting with Becky, wanting her to run away with him, but he is killed at the Battle of Waterloo. Amelia's steadfast loyalty to him is hard to understand.
The jumps in time through the film sometimes are funny or sad. Poor William Dobbin (Rhys Ifans) flees with a heart broken by Amelia to India. There you gauge the passage of time by the growth of his hair. Becky's husband Rawdon Crawley (James Purefoy) leaves her too quickly for the scene to have much impact, and is killed off soon after. One of the last things you get to hear him say is his wish to pull his life together, and you feel cheated for not getting to see it happen.
Even though purists may prefer the book, "Vanity Fair" is entertaining to watch. Like any Bollywood movie, it alive and vibrant with colours. More then once you can imagine if it had been made in India, the cast would of started dancing. In the end they sort of do. Even though Thackeray may be turning in his grave at the very idea, it is a sweet, engaging movie with a happy ending for everyone.