Vanity Fair (Full Screen Edition)

Rating:
Summary: A Period Drama with Color and Pluck.
Review: "Vanity Fair" is a contemporary adaptation of William Makepeace Thackerays's novel, directed by Mira Nair, who brings rich colors and lush textures of her native India to the film, as trade with far-flung colonies did to the British society of the early 19th century. The story's heroine is Becky Sharp (Reese Witherspoon), a penniless but ambitious young woman of the 1810's who aspires to marry well and climb England's social ladder. The first thing she does upon leaving school is attempt to cajole her best friend Amelia's (Romola Garai) brother into marriage. When that fails, Becky is delighted to gain the favor of her employer's wealthy sister, whom she accompanies to London. Becky is shown the door, however, when she marries the woman's roguish nephew, Captain Rawdon Crawley (James Purefoy), a gambler and kindred spirit. But Britain is on the brink of war, and Captain Crawley and Amelia's inattentive husband George (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) are off to battle Napoleon's advancing army, leaving their wives in financial peril, a situation that always threatens to foil Becky's best efforts at social advancement.

Director Mira Nair's emphasis on the Indian imports that met with some fascination in 19th century England give "Vanity Fair" a richer visual style than one might expect from a period film about a corseted social climber, which is a welcome change from the period's usual drab tones. Becky Sharp is such a self-centered character that she isn't likable. But she has no advantage in the world but her own wits, so she cannot be blamed for using them to her benefit. Reese Witherspoon's interpretation balances the character's fundamental selfishness and misfortune. If Becky were simply a victim, she might be more sympathetic, but she would be weak and uninteresting. Instead, she is a strong character who tries to master her own fate, if sometimes by distasteful means. The film's impressive supporting cast includes Jim Broadbent, Eileen Atkins, Gabriel Byrne, and Bob Hoskins. "Vanity Fair" is a little long, and it may only appeal to those who normally enjoy "period" films. But Becky's determination and pluck, along with the film's vibrant hues give "Vanity Fair" more spice than the typical costume drama.

The DVD: Bonus features include 2 featurettes, 8 deleted and extended scenes (including an alternate ending), and an audio commentary by director Mira Nair. "Welcome to Vanity Fair" (11 minutes) talks about interpreting the story for a modern audience, the culture in which it takes place, and includes interviews with Mira Nair, producer Donna Gigliotti, scriptwriter Julian Fellowes, and members of the film's cast. "The Women Behind Vanity Fair" (9 minutes) includes interviews with Nair, Reese Witherspoon, and the film's 3 female producers in which they discuss the character of Becky Sharp and comment on working with a mostly female creative team. Mira Nair provides a good, detailed audio commentary that addresses many aspects of the story and filming. She talks about Thackeray's novel, the cast, the work of the film's various creative teams, directorial decisions, and "Vanity Fair"'s themes. Subtitles are available for the film in Spanish and French. Captioning is available in English. Dubbing is available in French.

Rating:
Summary: Becky Sharp meets Bollywood
Review: Film director, writer and producer Mira Nair (Salaam, Bombay!, Monsoon wedding) admits to a life-long love affair with William Makepeace Thackeray's novel Vanity Fair after reading it as a teenager. This is evident in the beautiful cinematography and the painstakingly recreated and lavish sets of the current screen version starring Reese Witherspoon, Gabriel Byrne, James Purefoy et al.

Literary fans of the ever-aspiring Becky Sharp will definitely be able to chart the rise and falls of her desperate attempts to climb England's unforgiving and unforgetting ladder of social acceptance. The outstanding performances of the well chosen actors (Witherspoon never looked better than in period costume and her accent is convincing) and the underlying story lines of unrequited love and the Napoleonic War helps to win the interest of the movie viewer.

Reese is the flamboyant embodiement of "pluck" in her portrayal of the iron-willed and somewhat ruthless lower-class schemer and a whirlwind of action dominates her scenes. But if Witherspoon's Becky is the storm, then her finishing school friend Amelia is the calm in the eye of the storm. For when the madonna-like actress Romola Garai (The Last of the Blonde Bombshells) graces the screen, the frenetic pace slows down and scenes of buccolic romanticism unfold.

Naturally, many of the subplots and characters that were fully fleshed in Thackeray's 700 page novel get short shrift or no mention at all in Nair's adaptation. There are many unanswered questions and scenes that hint at the complexity of the novel Vanity Fair which is not realized in the movie.

However, the real "jewel in the crown" is Nair's skillful direction that never loses sight of the Indian influences throughout Thackeray's novel. Before he was sent to school in England, Thackeray was a native of India, where he spent his early childhood in Calcutta while his father worked for the East India Company.

It seems proper that Nair uses caste-locked India as a frame for the retelling of Thackeray's satiric analysis and deconstruction of the highly stratified life, marriage customs and mores of early 19th century England. Viewing Nair's adaptation of Vanity Fair is almost like a homecoming for Thackeray.

Welcome home, William.

Rating:
Summary: Actually 3 1/2....
Review: I didn't really know anything about this movie but was drawn to it because of a preview (beautiful colors and music) caught my attention...but the movie came up a little dry for my liking. The plot kept skipping around and at times it took a while for one to figure out which place in time were in. And I was confused quite a bit--maybe the book would help!?!? I also found this movie to be a bit long at 2 hours and 21 minutes. And I can stay focused only if I am into a movie and this movie I was not that into. I think it had great intentions and could have make a great movie but for us who needed some information or something to make this movie flow better it was just two hours of eye candy...nice looking actors and bright bold colors and great music especially the Indian music.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful to Look At, but Also a Confusing Whirwind.
Review: I never read the book, but get the impression it would have helped. On the back of the DVD jacket, you get the impression that Becky Sharp is supposed to live up to her last name. Instead, nice Reese Witherspoon and director Mira Nair turn the character into Becky Serrated Edge. At first you kind of like her spunk, but as the movie goes on, you get so sick and tired of her that you don't really feel anything but exhausted in the end.

Becky's friend Amelia was also annoying as she continuously pined away for her dead husband who was a jerk and constantly rebuked the man who hung around her for years.

I was as confused by the story as some of the other reviewers have stated, and Becky's character was so dullened down, you really couldn't get a feel for her at all. Also, I doubt that anybody used the term "suck up" back in 1800's England, nor did a social climber do an MTV-like bellydance without some undoubtedly expected repercussions.

I will say, though, that the movie isn't boring, and it is beautiful to look at. The colorful costumes and the pretty sets are very nice, and the use of Nair's Indian background is a unique enhancement. Too bad you get pummelled over the head with her culture until you're not sure if you're in England or India. Also, any good scenes are forgotten very quickly because there's too much to grasp in 2 hours and 20 minutes, and you're just too overwhelmed by the overall experience. Also, there are so many modern references in the movie, that it keeps jolting you out of the 1800's and right back to your own time; you're keenly aware that you're looking at actors, not characters. I also got the very distint impression that I wasn't watching the story of Becky Sharp as much as I was witnessing one of Madonna's lavish stage acts. I wouldn't say it's not worth seeing, but I wouldn't recommend you purchase it for your personal library either. I've seen far better period films than this.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful!!!
Review: I read the reviews on this movie and they said it wasnt that good.......the movie was AMAZING!!! its deserves 10 stars. i havent seen such a good movie in such a long time that i feel so GOOD!! This movie is perfrct!! Romance, intrigue, betrayal, good music, funny ....GREAT costumes....handsome guys, pretty gals ..everything!!! im definitly buying this DVD! u should 2. AND the soundtrack!!

Rating:
Summary: Horrible waste of money!!!
Review: I was really excited about this movie, that is until I sat down to watch it. It is so confusing and long I had to stop it and try watching it again later. Even the second time around was bad. The story line is hard to follow and the characters are not well developed. Don't waste your money!!

Rating:
Summary: a nicer becky sharp
Review: Reese Witherspoon did a wonderful job and for the most part this adaptation follows the book, however I found her portrayal to be a lot less manipulative and selfish than the Becky Sharp in the book. I still recommend this and think actor James Purefoy should become a huge star soon as well as the actress playing Amelia.

Rating:
Summary: Beauty in the build-up...
Review: The story takes place in the early nineteenth century in England and follows the tale of Rebecca Sharp (played by Reese Witherspoon), a penniless orphan who strives to climb the ladder of society. Overall, I liked the character of Becky Sharp. She’s strong and quick witted, yet she’s also charming and sensual. She succeeds in making a name for herself in society simply by being herself. As a governess for the wealthy, but aging, Miss Matilda Crawley, she meets, falls in love with, and marries Matilda’s own nephew, Captain Rawdon Crawley (James Purefoy). When Matilda learns of this, she not only sends Becky away, but also cuts Rawdon out of her will.

When news arrives that Napoleon Bonaparte is moving to attack Britain and Europe, Rawdon is sent to Brussels, and Becky (now pregnant) declares that she is coming with. During a social ball in Brussels, the soldiers learn that the war is marching upon them, and they are told they’ve three hours to prepare before leaving for battle. Alone in their room, Rawdon is preparing to leave and discussing with Becky what she can sell if she needs money to return to England. Rawdon speaks of what she can do if he doesn’t return to her, and Becky tries to shush him and begins to cry. Rawdon’s moved by his wife’s tears, and it is during this scene that he speaks what is perhaps the greatest line in the film – “If you should awake to find me dead, you must be sure at least of this: that you are a woman who has been truly loved.”

Playing a secondary role in the film as George Osborne, Jonathan Rhys Meyers delivers brilliantly as the cold, self-absorbed young soldier and the son of a merchant. In an arrangement set up by his father, George is betrothed to Amelia Sedley, Becky’s “only friend,” whom practically worships the ground George walks on. When Amelia’s family suddenly falls into debt and is forced to sell everything they own, George’s father insists that he find a better match or be cut out of the family. Rebellious, George marries Amelia anyway, even though he doesn’t love her and can barely stand her company. While Amelia is, at best, ignored by George, she continues to believe that he loves her and entreats this to anyone who will listen. The man who listens to her the most is a friend of George’s, Captain William Dobbin (played by Rhys Ifans), whom it is glaringly obvious to everyone except Amelia that he loves and cares for her deeply.

Although the movie is over two hours long, the plot moves along swiftly enough, and the characters are engaging enough, that it doesn’t get boring. The costumes and scenery are fantastic and most of the story seems to line up pretty well historically. There is perhaps only one scene that seems to stand out from this in which Becky performs for the king in and outfit which in the early nineteenth century would’ve been considered provocative, to say the least. She also dances around and flirts with the king in a manner unfitting a woman of society, even one who started out as an orphan.

I enjoyed this film up until perhaps the last half hour when this, until then, mysterious Marquess of Steyne (played by Gabriel Byrne) becomes a more prominent character. Wealthy, and with a title and societal ties, he offers to use his lofty place in society to bring Becky into higher society (and money) as well. He buys her jewelry and invites her, and her husband, to “high class” parties. Rawdon warns Becky that she’s playing with fire, but she assures him that she isn’t afraid and can take care of herself. In the end, what disappointed me about this film was the fact that Becky placed a higher worth on money and having a place in society than she did on love. She became so focused on being something more than what she was, she made the mistake of forgetting what should’ve been the most important thing to her all along, which was loving and being loved. Perhaps I’m just a romantic fool, but I wanted this to be a romance movie, and it just wasn’t. I really wasn’t happy with the ending at all…but the build-up was wonderful.


Disclaimer: I haven't read the book, so this review is based strictly on the movie. =)

Rating:
Summary: Reese Witherspoon's most ambitious role.
Review: Vanity Fair had too many things going on for Reese Witherspoon that I think she was overwhelmed, and couldn't deliver a smooth and confident performance like Legally Blonde or Sweet Home Alabama. I instantly compared her golddigger character to Gillian Anderson's House Of Mirth(also a period piece). Here she desn't have to endure tragedy, and ultimately finds herself a wealthy husband from India. Well, it took her a great deal of effort to climb her way to high society. She had to lie to people about her past, and she dazzled some people with her talent and beauty. She gets to perform a few musical numbers as well. It's a great opportunity for her to display more of her range beyond her comedy roles in the past. Perhaps, it was too dramatic for her, that she didn't have enough intensity consistently. I also noticed that her accent was off when she has to play a heavy crying scene. I have to give her credit for trying very hard, and it is her most ambitious and difficult role to date.
The costumes ,makeup, and the lavish sets were beautiful. The supporting cast members overall delivered decent performances. Anyways, I fell the movie didn't work, because it wasn't a drama nor a comedy. It was kind of all over the place, and Becky is not a very likeable character. Oh well, I guess it's time for Witherspoon to return her more familiar horizon. So if you are a huge fan of Witherspoon, it's worth you while to see her carry a period piece for the first time.

Rating:
Summary: not bad, not bad at all.
Review: well directed and performed film. nice settings, good screenplay with very good dialogue sturcture. what we got here is a typical 19century life style: find a rich husband or wife, better aristocratics, or a rich father or a sponsor, hope your rich old kinfolks would die sooner and leave you, only you, all the estates they got. there are still some true loves in that time, but it's not as easy as to get into the chatroom websites to find the thought-to-be mr or miss right, yet may turn out 99.999% wrong. we don't see many social climbers or even mountaineers now, but fingertip surfers, and no thermo suits are needed.