Desperation and longing run parallel with love and loyalty in this stylish film. Reese Witherspoon, resplendent in period costumes and spouting dialogue with a convincing English accent, takes on the role of the strong-minded social climber, Rebecca (Becky) Sharp. The daughter of a starving artist and a chorus girl, Becky’s raised in the strict surroundings of Miss Pinkerton’s Academy. Though brought up to serve others, Becky’s always set her sights high, aiming for a spot in English high society.
Growing up and leaving the Academy behind, Becky takes off with her best friend, Amelia (Romola Garai), in hopes of marrying Amelia’s bachelor brother, thus earning a spot much higher than her own in the social ranks. When that plan is thwarted by Amelia’s snobby fiancé (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), Becky finds employment with the socially connected but not so wealthy Crawley family.
Using her considerable feminine wiles, Becky succeeds in charming her way from being a governess to Sir Pitt Crawley’s (Bob Hoskins) young daughters to trusted employee and close confidante of Crawley’s very rich aunt Matilda (Eileen Atkins). Becky falls out of Matilda’s good graces when she marries Matilda’s favorite nephew, the very handsome Rawdon Crawley (James Purefoy). Marriage allows Becky to climb another small rung in the ladder of social acceptance, but love and the company of a devoted husband aren’t enough. She needs more.
While the movie’s chock-full of praiseworthy performances (Witherspoon, Purefoy, Rhys Meyers, Rhys Ifans, and Gabriel Byrne are particularly outstanding) and impeccably directed by Nair, the film’s flaw is that there’s something standoffishness about the whole production. There’s a 'look but don’t touch, watch but don’t get involved' aura to the film. The need for acceptance and the desire for wealth and power and popularity are all equally as relevant today as they were back in the 1800s, so the film’s central themes aren’t out of sync with modern audiences. Yet I can’t quite put my finger on why the film didn’t move me. Even though I enjoyed my time spent with these colorful characters, I was happy to see their stories end when the credits rolled.
"Vanity Fair" is a fine film, skillfully directed, and should appeal to literary buffs and mature females who love a little depth to their dramas. But while the acting can’t be beat and the film is stunning to look at, it does lack that little extra emotional pull needed to make it a compelling moviegoing experience.
GRADE: B-
"Vanity Fair" was directed by Mira Nair and is rated PG-13 for some sensuality/partial nudity and a brief violent image.
