Akito HirataReview - Easy Virtue
April 4th 2009 08:47
Set in 1929, John Whittaker (Ben Barnes), a young Brit aristocrat, falls in love with blonde bombshell, Larita (Jessica Biel), an American female racing car driver. He impetuously weds her in the South of France and takes her home to England to meet his family. Kristin Scott Thomas is Mrs Whittaker, a cold distant woman who takes an instant dislike to Larita, showing her distaste by announcing "“Oh, you’re American . . . ” upon hearing her utter her first words. Glamourous Larita is in sharp contrast to the British aristocracy, tweeds and fox hunts and realises that in order to maintain some manner of control and dignity she must stand up for herself and her love for John. Larita may have "easy virtue" as Mrs Whittaker refers, but she holds steadfast to her plan of leaving the estate and moving to London as soon as she can.
Mr Whittaker, a brooding Colin Firth, is the only Whittaker family member who actually takes a liking to her. Having lost interest in his marriage and all things aristocratic since his experience in the war, he enjoys and revels in Larita's arrival. John's sisters, Hilda (Kimberley Nixon) and Marion (Katherine Parkinson), side with their overbearing and controlling mother.
Larita is a fish out of water in the countryside estate but holds her own against her fight against the clash of cultures and generations. Biel's acting is superb, maintaining elegance while asserting her place, bringing a credibility to her character that has not been seen since The Illusionist (2006). Kristin Scott Thomas and Colin Firth are nicely balanced and they play off each other well.
If you like your humour with a little bit of class, then this is definitely one to look out for.
Voyage Review: 4/5
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