Directed by:
Stephan ElliottCinematography:
Martin KenzieComposer:
Marius De VriesCast:
Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson, Kris Marshall, Christian Brassington, Charlotte Riley (more)Plots(1)
Easy Virtue marks the much-anticipated return of Australian director Stephan Elliott. Adapted from the 1924 Noël Coward play, Elliott's version retains the essential qualities of the original - a deliciously funny comedy of manners - while making it relevant to a contemporary audience. Late 1920s England. Young upper-class John Whittaker (Ben Barnes) returns home from holiday married to the wrong sort of girl. Larita (Jessica Biel) is a widow and a racing car driver, sophisticated, fiercely independent and - gasp! - American. John's frosty mother Veronica (Kristin Scott Thomas) is horrified, his father Jim (Colin Firth) enthralled, and his sisters are first delighted with, then despairing, of the new addition to the family. Pretty soon the battle lines are drawn. While Jim sees a kindred spirit, Veronica and her two daughters do all they can to sabotage the marriage. Larita does her best to ingratiate herself, but the gloves soon come off, with the only question being whether Larita and John's love is strong enough to withstand the onslaught.
Easy Virtue is effervescent entertainment featuring superbly playful and biting dialogue, lavish period detail, a wicked soundtrack and wonderful performances. Biel and Barnes exude both youthful passion and sharp-witted street smarts. Scott Thomas and Firth let loose trading delicious, sly one-liners, while also finding intriguing depth and real dimension in their characters. Elliott portrays a crumbling English aristocracy with verve bordering on glee, bringing his own wit and style to this sparkling confection. What results is a film that is as clever and funny as it is artfully crafted.
(Roadshow Entertainment)
Reviews (1)
You know those harmless comedies that you find primarily in the repertoire of Vinohrady Theatre or Na Jezerce Theatre, almost certainly starring Jirásková or Hrušinský? One of those plays that you would never go to alone, but when you take Mom, Granny, Dad and anybody else from the family to it, you can be sure that you will survive, your parents will be happy, Granny will be over the moon about how Jirásková is still enchanting and jumps about like a spring deer. Well this is exactly the same. So much so, that I’m just waiting for it to appear in the Vinohrady Theatre repertoire, starring Jirásková and guest-starring Hrušinský.
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