One to see: Easy Virtue (2009)
March 28th 2009 01:22
I'm a big fan of period films, but am the first to admit that they can be slow and a bit stiff in their presentation. 2009's Easy Virtue is anything but! It is, without exception, the liveliest and most playful period piece I've ever seen. Starring Colin Firth (no surprises there) and Jessica Biel (wait... what?), the film is an adaptation of a Noel Coward play, set in the English countryside in 1929. It's directed by Aussie filmmaker Stephan Elliott. There is not a single dull moment in this film; in fact it pushes the conventions of the period genre so far that at times it's almost hectic.
Biel plays fiesty American racecar driver Larita, who has wed the eldest son of the Whitakers - a wealthy but extremely dysfunctional English family. When she comes to their country property to meet her new husband's family, she gets an immediately frosty reception from her mother-in-law (brilliantly played by Kristin Scott Thomas) and their relationship only goes downhill as the film progresses. In the eyes of Mrs Whitaker, Larita is a gold-digging floozy who is entirely unsuitable for her only son John (Ben Barnes), and the tension between the two characters is palpable. Larita's relationship with her husband's sisters, Hilda (Kimberley Nixon) and Marion (Katherine Parkinson) is also very unsteady - in fact, the only member of the Whitaker family who approves of her is John's father (Colin Firth), a wise and world-weary man with a sardonic wit and a shadowy past. The two share an easy comraderie and later, a tango that is rife with sexual tension.
While it's to be expected that such big names, and period film veterans like Firth and Scott Thomas would excel in a piece like this, it's Jessica Biel who really surprises us with her ability as a leading lady. She is truly captivating on screen; in my opinion it's her best performance to date. Her modern, clever and brash character is in such stark contrast to the stiffness of the Whitaker women, and the effect is quite dazzling.
And the film is funny! There are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments that are at once original and entirely unexpected. Firth's comedic timing, in particular, is outstanding; but the whole cast is to be commended. The setting and the costumes are wonderful too, and will appeal to diehard fans of the period genre.
My only real complaint with Easy Virtue is the soundtrack. It's a rather odd mix of jazz and old-school tunes that are a tad distracting at times, and don't seem entirely appropriate. Of course, it's a matter of opinion - but I found the jazz version of Sex Bomb just a little bit weird. All in all, however, it's a lively, fast-paced and extremely entertaining film that is packed full of surprises - definitely one to see!
Biel plays fiesty American racecar driver Larita, who has wed the eldest son of the Whitakers - a wealthy but extremely dysfunctional English family. When she comes to their country property to meet her new husband's family, she gets an immediately frosty reception from her mother-in-law (brilliantly played by Kristin Scott Thomas) and their relationship only goes downhill as the film progresses. In the eyes of Mrs Whitaker, Larita is a gold-digging floozy who is entirely unsuitable for her only son John (Ben Barnes), and the tension between the two characters is palpable. Larita's relationship with her husband's sisters, Hilda (Kimberley Nixon) and Marion (Katherine Parkinson) is also very unsteady - in fact, the only member of the Whitaker family who approves of her is John's father (Colin Firth), a wise and world-weary man with a sardonic wit and a shadowy past. The two share an easy comraderie and later, a tango that is rife with sexual tension.
Firth and Biel - two to tango
While it's to be expected that such big names, and period film veterans like Firth and Scott Thomas would excel in a piece like this, it's Jessica Biel who really surprises us with her ability as a leading lady. She is truly captivating on screen; in my opinion it's her best performance to date. Her modern, clever and brash character is in such stark contrast to the stiffness of the Whitaker women, and the effect is quite dazzling.
Nixon, Scott Thomas and Parkinson
And the film is funny! There are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments that are at once original and entirely unexpected. Firth's comedic timing, in particular, is outstanding; but the whole cast is to be commended. The setting and the costumes are wonderful too, and will appeal to diehard fans of the period genre.
Biel and Barnes
My only real complaint with Easy Virtue is the soundtrack. It's a rather odd mix of jazz and old-school tunes that are a tad distracting at times, and don't seem entirely appropriate. Of course, it's a matter of opinion - but I found the jazz version of Sex Bomb just a little bit weird. All in all, however, it's a lively, fast-paced and extremely entertaining film that is packed full of surprises - definitely one to see!
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