Vanity Fair
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Movie Reviews of Vanity Fair
Movie Review: Surprised . . . But Not in the Best Way
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this version of Vanity Fair after reading the reviews and while a bit weary, I decided to give it a go. I mean, it's a BBC production so what can go wrong? I'm not a purist and I've actually never read the book (kudos to everyone that did, looks like some serious reading) so I'm just basing this review purely on the viewing experience.
Overall, the story was, hmmm. . . . not necessarily boring but not "OMG, I can't wait to see what happens next!" (If that makes any sense.) It was more the banter and wit of the dialogue plus a touch of curiosity that kept things interesting enough for me to continue watching rather than the plot. The plot is pretty much a steady case of a girl who attempts to rise in wealth and social status through trial and error. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, the execution is was a bit of a one-note. Nothing terribly exciting. Natasha Little's conniving and status-hungry Becky Sharp, however, somewhat saves the film by tap dancing on your nerves, which I gather from the other reviews, she's supposed to do. So good acting on Little's part. Naturally, there is a romantic side plot. Not focusing on Becky Sharp, mind you, but that of Becky's very, VERY naive (and that's putting it nicely) friend, Amelia Sedley who is consumed by her love for George Osborne while Osborne's friend, William Dobbin, is secretly in love with her. Personally, I liked this storyline better but I'm more of a romantic so of course, I'll gravitate toward that.
Production-wise, the film seemed more like a glorified stage play. I actually double checked the dvd case to make sure that this was really made in the 90s. Seemed more like an 80s production to me. Also, as some reviewers have already mentioned, the blaring horns are a bit overkill. I kept having to adjust the volume on my TV throughout the movie.
I found myself very fortunate to have purchased this movie in one of those buy and trade movie stores--I would have been very upset if I had paid full price then had to wait this to arrive. But obviously, there are many out there who just love this film so my suggestion is simply to rent this one first then decide on whether you think it's buyable. If it were possible, I would give this film 2.5 stars but considering Little's and Philip Glenister's (Mjr. Dobbin) performances, I'll be generous. Definitely not the caliber of film that I would have expected from BBC.
Movie Review: Fell short of expectations
Summary: 3 Stars
This was a much touted mini-series which I missed on TV and have now watched on DVD. I had high expectations. They were not realized, but by no means can one say that the show is a failure or even a waste of time. No urge to fast-forward here....Yet..... there is a flatness about the whole production that keeps the emotions, the humor, at arms length. Becky Sharp remains the same, looks the same, inflects the same from beginning to end. The direction reveals no development, no nuance..... certainly charming rapaciousness is more varied than we are shown here. The script is not particularly memorable.
BBC production values are top-notch except in the repeated use of extreme closeups to mask a penny-pinching budget..... the Belgium battle segments are particularly cheesy...... but overall, things are shot handsomely, and some visual commentary is downright witty e.g., pigs crossing the frame as we approach the Crawley manor. The music score, hilarious and anachronistic, is rather refreshing.
This is nowhere as exhilarating a show as the BBC's Pride and Prejudice. Which leads me to the odd realization that perhaps the better writer for Vanity Fair would have been Balzac. Now.... why doesn't somebody do something with his stuff..... Lost Illusions, for example. There we have meatier stuff.
Movie Review: improves with repeated viewings
Summary: 3 Stars
My interest in vanity Fair was first piqued by the Mira Nair version, which I saw in the theater. In comparison to the big Hollywood production this series paints a much bleaker view of Becky Sharp. It is Natasha Little's portrayal of Becky that makes this worth seeing. Ms. Little does an incredible job with the ups and downs of Becky's ambitions. You don't often get a heroin who you struggle to like, but this Becky is coniving, and a bad mother-- qualities that get sugar coated in Reese Witherspoon's version. There are downsides-- the music is often annoying and seems to have the wrong timing, there are visuals of people picking thier noses, vomiting, and pigs snorting around during the credits. After getting over these ugly visuals I began to really enjoy this series. Don't write-off the Reese Witherspoon version though- it is stunningly colorful and a beautiful production. (p.s. Look for Natasha Little in both productions -- she plays Lady Jane in the hollywood version)Movie Review: TURN DOWN THE BAND MUSIC
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm a big fan of movies of this genre and this is one of the worst I've seen. There are many good things about this movie; I felt it stayed true to the novel, the costumes were excellant, the acting and character adaptations superb, but the sound was absolutely horrible. So horrible in fact, that it completely turned me off the movie. I found myself wincing everytime the music played. One reviewer said that the quality of the picture was horrid, but I didn't find that at all and think their DVD player or TV must need adjusting. The poor sound was not due to my DVD player nor TV, it was the loud, obnoxious bad music that played throughout the movie and many times totally covering important conversations between the characters. Not only was the music loud, it also seemed inappropriate for the scenes. Anyone want to buy a one-time watched copy of Vanity Fair??Movie Review: Falls short of the BBC reputation
Summary: 3 Stars
William Thackeray's classic novel about the opportunistic Becky Sharp (Natasha Little) and her climb toward social prominence receives the BBC treatment but fails to become more than an interesting, well-acted soap opera. The entire production seems curiously flat and misses many opportunities to comment upon the parade of human vanity on display here that lends the work its title. Becky's final actions in the last moments of the drama appear to conflict with the personality that has been established for her over the course of more than five hours. Still, it is an enjoyable production and the cast acquits itself well.