Vanity Fair
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Movie Reviews of Vanity Fair
Movie Review: I loved it!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I haven't seen the newer version with Reese Witherspoon or read the book, so maybe I'm not completely qualified to write a review on this film. But I loved it so much I just can't resist! Natasha Little is fantastic as Becky Sharp, although at the end we are sort of left wondering if she is really good at heart, despite all her appearances of being selfish and uncaring, or if she helped Amelia get Amelia's guy for her (Becky's) own benefit.
And Frances Grey is wonderful as Amelia Sedley, which leads to... William Dobbin. I don't know how he does it, but Philip Glenister just played that part perfectly. Here's why: When he is first introduced, I looked at him and thought, "Ew, why does he keep looking at Amelia that way? He's not even that good looking!" And hoped wildly that he would not stay in the story. But by the end, he was completely embedded in my mind as THE ONLY guy for A, and suddenly he seemed amzingly attractive. When an actor can do that, it just blows my mind. My sister wants to marry his portrayal of William Dobbin.
On another note, the sets, costumes, and score (especially the score!) are beautiful and realistic. I loooove the music in this film! I can't say enough good things about it. Or the rest of the movie, for that matter. I highly recommend it!!!! It's one of my favorites, right up there with Pride & Prejudice (1996). Every aspect of it is fantastic. You must see it!
Movie Review: Peerless version of the Thackeray Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
The novel "Vanity Fair" is subtitled by the author "A Novel Without a Hero". Becky Sharp is the first anti-heroine in English literature. Thakeray looks down his nose at all of his characters. After getting into the novel you discover that the author himself is the hero of the novel in that he thinks his intelligence and opinions are far better than anyone elses. With that understood you can sit back and enjoy his biting observations of the hypocracy of English society of the time: the arbitrary class divisions, the frantic scrambling to find a suitable (read Wealthy) husband, and the leeming-like rush for everyone in the upper classes to live well beyond there means at the very real risk of bankrupcy.
This is not Austen with a put-upon heroine that you can identify with. This is not Dickens with suffering and noble Poor and where goodness is always rewarded.
This A&E/BBC version is a very close adaptation of the book and does not sugar-coat anything. The cast may be unfamiliar with American audiences, but it includes some of the finest character actors that Britain has to offer. The story is not "easy" in that it is not formulaic, but the entire production from screenplay to casting and acting, to period details is a feast. Good does win out in the end, but the wicked are not necessarily punished.
Movie Review: A splendid rendition!
Summary: 5 Stars
While Mira Nair's new version of this timeless masterpiece invokes colour and a truly distinct cinematographic vision, Ms Little surpasses Reese Witherspoon in every aspect-beauty, charisma, and sheer acting ability. But, most importantly, Ms Little depicts the anti-heroine that Thackery intended: a witty, vivacious woman who is as heartless and cutting as she is charming and, at times, earnest in her compassion. The lovely part of this wonderful BBC version is that the viewer can't quite decide about Becky Sharp's character; she is left ambiguous, an anomaly that one must watch countless times to figure out (and even then it is never quite possible). In stark contrast to Nair's shallow characters and distorted historical sense, Andrew Davies' adaptation is marvelous, and the casting is perfect: the actors and actresses are chosen for their talent, acting as the characters that Thackery describes, rather than the over-the-top Hollywood beauty queens and kings. It is refreshing to see something that remains true to the realism of everyday life. The musical score, though loud and sometimes seemingly overwhelming, produces the effect of humour that is integral to the film; it reminds the viewer not to take the characters as seriously as, say, Amelia takes herself. A splendid rendition!
Movie Review: The last word on Thackeray's satirical masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are considering a dramatic rendition of Vanity Fair, this BBC production is definitely the most superior. Becky Sharpe is played by Natasha Little and it is a wonder this actor has not been seen much since: She is magnificent in this role - manipulative, delightful and 'Sharpe as a tack' as Thackeray intended. (Nb. she actually played the part of the sweet natured Lady Jane Sheepshanks in the US film where Reese Witherspoon took the main role). Take note of all the names: Dobbin is supposed to suggest a plodding loyalty, Becky IS sharpe and Lord Steyne is indeed a stain on morality!
The costumes and settings are so realistic that some history documentaries have used sections of this mini-series to illustrate the battle of Waterloo.
When it was originally televised here it obtained almost cult status, each episode was eagerly and impatiently awaited. I have TWO copies of the mini-series on video and am very happy to now own it on DVD.
Ignore the American production starring Reese Witherspoon, the BBC's Becky carries the day. Regardless of these opinions, the series is also a valuable historical documentary with insights into class, daily life and Waterloo. It is superbly entertaining also.
Movie Review: Captured My Interest And Kept Me Wanting More
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll be honest up front and tell you that I read Vanity Fair so long ago that I can't remember anything about it other than Becky Sharp. That's why when I started to watch this version, I really didn't know what to expect. The first scene seemed slow and I wasn't sure I wanted to watch more of it, but then I was intrigued by Dobbin. How can someone be so giving and faithful, just to be consistently unappreciated. I had to keep watching to see if anything good would happen to him. I kept an open mind toward Becky, until the end, when I was sure of my opinion, and then...I was left wondering again. She was amazing!
I loved the twists and turns and I'm so glad that I had forgotten the plot so I was kept on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to ___ or what was to become of ___. The two young boys, so different in their situations but equally sympathetic figures, just made me wish I could have been there to help.
Others have given far better reviews than mine, but for those of us who just wanted to enjoy a good story, I would say this was well done. If you haven't read the book or seen it on video, you'll need to do that to fill in the blanks I left. :)